A brand new trade association representing the meat industry on the North American continent has begun. North American Meat Association (NAMA) is the result of more than a year of planning and effort by the leaders of two major industry groups, National Meat Association and the North 4American Meat Processors Association.
“It is with tremendous pride that we announce this historic union,” said NAMA CEO Barry Carpenter. “Together we can achieve an excellence that builds upon the remarkable accomplishments of both groups.”
NAMA will continue providing exemplary services to support its members. These include workplace issues support, legislative analysis and media assistance, as well as delivering outstanding regulatory guidance and proactive information to the membership. NAMA will also continue to publish The NAMP Meat Buyer’s Guide® and associated products.
The officers from the consolidating organizations will share the leadership positions to assure a seamless transition while maximizing synergies. NAMA co-officers are:
Co-Chairs of the Board
Larry Vad, Ideal Meat & Provision
Jeff Saval, Deli Brands of America
Co-Presidents
Mike Satzow, North Country Smokehouse
Marty Evanson, Jobbers Meat Packing
Co-Vice Presidents
Mike Hesse, Beef Products, Inc.
Tony Gahn, Jr. Gahn Meat Co., Inc.
Co-Treasurers
John Vatri, Cardinal Meat Specialists, Inc.
Brian Coelho, Central Valley Meat
Co-Secretaries
Don Clift, Preferred Beef Group
Joe Maas, JTM Provisions
The first meeting of the new association will be the NAMA Outlook Conference on October 24-27 in San Antonio, Texas. With nearly 700 member companies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other countries, the new association is one of the larger meat-industry associations in North America and dedicated to a goal of safe food in a sound and competitive marketplace.
The new association has two offices in the United States, one in Oakland, California and another in Reston, Virginia. It also has an office in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit NAMA’s new website at www.meatassociation.com.
Source: North American Meat Association