American Frozen Food Institute Announces Staff Additions

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today announced the selection of Elise Cortina Fennig as AFFI’s new vice president of member services and the addition of Adrienne Richards as director of industry and public affairs.

“Their considerable skills and experience will bring new energy and perspective to the creation and delivery of AFFI programs and services, and our efforts to communicate the benefits of frozen foods to consumers and policy makers.”

“The American Frozen Food Institute is pleased to further enhance its outstanding staff team with the selection of Elise Cortina Fennig and Adrienne Richards,” said Naasz. “Their considerable skills and experience will bring new energy and perspective to the creation and delivery of AFFI programs and services, and our efforts to communicate the benefits of frozen foods to consumers and policy makers.”

Fennig joined AFFI in August 2006. She has served in various capacities, including executive director of the Frozen Potato Products Institute and the Texas-Mexico Frozen Food Council, as well as director of industry and public affairs. She also serves as executive director of the Frozen Food Foundation, a position she will retain in addition to her new role as vice president of member services.

“Elise brings a great appreciation for the value proposition AFFI offers its current and prospective members, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting the frozen food industry. Her strong marketing and communications skills, coupled with her already-established relationships with industry players, are vital assets to AFFI and the Frozen Food Foundation.”

Fennig attained her master’s degree in communications, specializing in public relations, from the University of Florida, and her undergraduate degree in foreign affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia. She also is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. Fennig assumed her new responsibilities on May 1, 2012.

Richards comes to AFFI with five years of experience in communications and public relations. She was previously employed by the National Turkey Federation, where she served as spokesperson and manager of the organization’s consumer and foodservice public relations campaigns aimed at promoting the health benefits of turkey consumption.

Richards will have responsibility for administering the communications and marketing programs of AFFI and its affiliated associations, including the National Frozen Pizza Institute. She will report to the Institute’s vice president of communications and assumes her new role on May 21, 2012. Richards received a B.A. in communications studies from Wilkes University.

The American Frozen Food Institute is the national trade association promoting and representing the interests of all segments of the frozen food industry. AFFI works to foster industry development and growth, and advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf. More information can be found at www.affi.org.