“These talented individuals deserve the recognition and responsibility they are receiving,” said Barry Carpenter, president and CEO. “They will help ensure that the North American Meat Institute and our Foundation can be the world-class organizations we aim to be. We are fortunate to have each of them on our team.”
William Westman was named senior vice president of international affairs. He joined the American Meat Institute (AMI) in 2010 after a 29-year career with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture. Most recently, Westman served as the Agricultural Minister Counselor at the US Embassy in Beijing, where he supervised and managed USDA’s largest overseas operation. Westman is the staff liaison to the NAMI’s International Affairs Committee.
Norm Robertson will serve as NAMI's vice president of regulatory services. Before his promotion, Robertson was the executive associate director of regulatory issues at the North American Meat Association (NAMA). Before joining NAMA, Robertson spent 20 years with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in a variety of in-plant and district office roles. Robertson leads NAMI's efforts to provide timely and effective regulatory assistance to the Institute's members.
Ken Mastracchio, longtime National Meat Association and NAMA staff member, will join the regulatory services group as senior director, while Andrea Perkins will serve as director of regulatory services. Mastracchio joined the NAMA in 1993 and joined USDA in 1973. Perkins also previously served in various inspection roles at FSIS.
Eric Zito was named senior director of membership and exposition services. Zito joined AMI in 2006. He served as AMI’s director of membership and exposition services. In his new role, Zito will oversee NAMI member benefits and recruitment and will assist with exhibit sales for the International Meat Expo and the Annual Meat Conference.
Michael Schumpp, formerly AMI’s coordinator of legislative and public affairs, was named manager of public affairs and member communications. Schumpp is the editor of the weekly publication, Lean Trimmings.
Christina Marmor was promoted to senior manager of meetings and conference services for NAMI. She will coordinate and execute all aspects of NAMI and NAMIF meetings. Marmor began her career at AMI in 2000. She gained 15 years of meeting and conference management experience at other organizations before joining NAMI.
The NAMI Foundation (NAMIF) also made several staff promotions. Betsy Booren, Ph.D. was named NAMIF president. Booren will oversee the research and technical functions of NAMIF. She also serves as vice president of scientific affairs within NAMI. Booren is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection; and she serves as the liaison to NAMI’s Scientific Affairs Committee. Booren joined AMI and its Foundation in 2009. She received her Ph.D. in food science from Texas A&M Univ.
Susan Backus was named executive director of the NAMI Foundation. Backus will oversee the Foundation’s operations and research grants. Backus also serves as NAMI's vice president of regulatory and scientific programs and is the staff liaison to the Meat Institute’s Health and Wellness Advisory Committee. She joined AMI in 1997.
