Key Initiatives
New Member and First Attendee Reception
As part of the Communications and Member Committee’s Member Concierge Program, the First Time Attendee Reception was expanded to highlight networking opportunities at FEMA’s meetings.
Member Concierge Program
The Communications and Membership committee implemented a new program to guide new members through their first association meeting and introduce them to association leadership and members.
New Members
Recognitions
2017 Award Winners
Dr. Richard L. Hall Distinguished Service Award
Presented to Tim Webster
Emerging Leader Award
Presented to Jeff Peppet
FEMA Excellence in Flavor Science Award
Presented to Gregory L. Yep, Ph.D.
President’s Excellence in Service Award
Presented to Lorna Hopkinson
Committee Reports
Alcohol Tax and Trade Committee
Chair: Randy Knecht
Co-Chair: Ari Gastman
Board Liaison: Louie D’Amico
Tracks the activities of the Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) and other regulatory agencies with respect to the use of alcohol in flavors and extracts, and recommends action to the Board of Governors if necessary.
The scope of the committee includes regulations and procedures for tax drawbacks, formula disclosure, investigation and inspection procedures, conflicts between agencies, impact on wine and alcoholic beverage flavors and beverage ingredient labeling.
Communications & Membership Committee
Co-Chair: Cynthia Astrack
Co-Chair: TJ Widuch
Board Liaison: Michael Natale
Keeps the membership fully informed of the policies, services, and activities of the Association so that each member receives the maximum benefit of FEMA membership.
Manages the Association website as a central source of Association and industry information available to the membership and/or the public.
Seeks, as members of the Association, all qualified manufacturers of flavors and flavoring ingredients, flavor users, flavor ingredient suppliers, and other companies related to the flavor industry who are eligible for membership.
Contacts potential members and advises the Board of Governors on matters relating to membership in the Association.
Education and Training Committee
Chair: Dolf DeRovira
Co-Chair: Martin Ongteco
Board Liaison: Roderick W. Sowders
Assesses the education and training needs of the FEMA membership, and to oversee the provision of education and training courses on topics that are timely and of value based on input from members.
These courses are in addition to and outside the scope of programs and workshops already offered and they take into consideration the needs of younger professionals within the flavor industry and alternative formats that stimulate broader participation.
The Committee also develops and offers a FEMA orientation class, “FEMA 101”.
FEMA Regulatory Affairs Committee
Chair: Mary Raukko
Co-Chair: Lorna Hopkinson
Board Liaison: Shawn Blythe
Monitors and evaluates U.S. (local/state/federal) and international legislative and regulatory initiatives that may impact the flavor industry.
Recommends to the Board, where appropriate, responses or actions needed to represent the best interest of the flavor industry on emerging or changing regulations and/or legislation affecting the industry.
Responsible for reporting activities on domestic legislation to the Regulatory Advisory & Advocacy Committee (RAAC) of the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), as well as reporting and making any appropriate recommendations to the RAAC on international issues affecting FEMA members, which may require action and/or co-ordination through the international committee.
Provides information to members and a forum for discussion, education and training, as appropriate, regarding the impact of new legislation, recommendations for compliance with existing regulations, and the interpretation of regulations globally.
Occupational, Safety, Health and Environment Committee
Chair: Sandy Otero
Co-Chair: Adam Gromer
Board Liaison: Kevin Renskers, Ph.D.
Reviews and discusses Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) current and common practices along with specific methods and standards needed for continuously improving workplace performance.
Identifies and/or creates opportunities for improving the Safety, Health and Environmental knowledge within FEMA member companies.
Promotes awareness of new and changing Safety, Health and Environmental regulations along with applicable regulatory enforcement activities.
Provides the FEMA Board with recommendations for addressing regulatory compliance and other matters involving Safety, Health and Environmental issues that may impact the flavor industry.
Science Committee
Chair: Denver Christopher
Board Liaison: Suzanne Johnson, Ph.D.
Identifies and provides technical and scientific expertise within the FEMA membership that will help achieve FEMA objectives that require technical or scientific support.
Consumer Products Companies Forum
Chair: Richard D’Aloisio
Co-Chair: Lisa Thorsten
Board Liaison: Nancy Higley, Ph.D.
Serves as a forum among consumer product companies to address issues and opportunities for the use of flavors as ingredients in foods, beverages, dental hygiene products, cosmetics and other such products from a regulatory, scientific and trade perspective.
The forum discusses issues such as labeling of flavors as ingredients in foods and beverages, contaminants, intellectual property protection associated with flavors when linked to consumer products brands (i.e. customs classifications, food and beverage product registrations, alcohol taxes and registrations).
Recommendations made by the Forum are forwarded to relevant standing FEMA committees and the FEMA Board.
Committee on Flavor Safety
Chair: Craig Llewellyn, Ph.D.
Co-Chair: Paul Ribeiro, Ph.D.
Board Liaison: Nancy Higley, Ph.D.
Helps to oversee and prioritize all safety activities of FEMArelated to flavoring substances and new flavor technologies, and to provide solution-based recommendations to the FEMA Board of Governors, scientific staff, and membership for issues resolution on a global (IOFI) or local (FEMA) level.
Enhanced Communications Committee
Chair: Tracy Cesario
Co-Chair: Jeff Peppet
Board Liaison: Donald Wilkes
Develops a strategic communications roadmap that addresses key concerns and opportunities for FEMA and its member companies.
Assesses and develops communications strategies and implementation plans for top issues that have potential impact on the flavor industry and will offer guidance to FEMA members.
Builds awareness of FEMA’s role through interaction with media, NGOs, and industry advocates.
Helps the association proactively and appropriately engage with relevant audiences.
Flavor Labeling Committee
Chair: Kathleen Crossman
Co-Chair: Victoria Alvarez-Saavedra
Board Liaison: Thomas Buco
Tracks the present labeling regulations of the FDA, USDA, and other agencies applicable to flavors, and to recommend appropriate actions to change, interpret or implement those regulations.
Monitors government proposals for amendment of existing regulations and recommends the Association’s position on such proposals in the interest of the membership.
Program Committee
Chair: Kelli Heinz
Co-Chair: Erica Reiner
Board Liaison: Laurette Rondenet
Formulates programs for the business sessions of the Annual Convention and Symposium, including recommending and inviting speakers, coordinating travel and program details, and welcoming and hosting speakers in attendance at the meetings.
Recommends panel discussions or other special programs to address issues of interest and importance at both annual meetings.
Supply Chain Sustainability Committee
Chair: Craig Nielsen
Co-Chair: John Parsons
Board Liaison: Janet L. Aho and Paul Graham
Provides a forum for the open discussion of issues relevant to key supply markets important and pertinent to the flavor industry, including but not limited to, supply chain challenges, sustainability, vanilla and other raw material growing region reports, labeling for vanilla products subject to the federal standards of identity, customs and tariff matters and other trade and product registration issues.
Additionally, the committee aims to provide educational resources to members, where necessary, to help increase awareness of issues facing the supply markets important to the flavor industry.