TheNational Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA), Harrisburg, Pa., said it elected  association officers and members of the board of directors for 2009-2010 during its Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon October 19 in Washington, DC.

The membership meeting was held in conjunction with the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention at the Marriott Wardman Park.

Gary Spinazze, vice president of Vendor Relations, Nash Finch Company, was elected chairman of the board of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. NFRA said Spinazze has served on the board since 2002, when refrigerated foods were added to the scope of the association. He served as secretary from 2006-2007, as chairman-elect from 2007-2008, and as chairman 2008-2009. Spinazze is also a member of The Distinguished Order of Zerocrats.

Other Officers sworn in during the association’s 65th annual meeting were:Jeff Thomas, Michael Foods, Inc., chairman-elect;Dan Maloney, Publix Super Markets, secretary;Ray Tarnowski,Philadelphia Warehouse & Cold Storage, treasurer;John Larsen, Safeway, Inc., vice chairman refrigerated; andBob Montgomery, Birds Eye Foods, Inc., vice chairman frozen.


In other news, NFRA said it hiredJeff Rumachikto its management team as senior vice president starting November 1, 2009. Rumachik was formerly vice president, Wholesaler and Member Services for the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).

Officials say Rumachik’s responsibilities will include planning and coordinating annual meetings and managing the association’s integrated marketing programs to include fund-raising, developing mutually beneficial relationships within the industry and acting as liaison with the association’s board and committees.

“Jeff’s experience in an association environment as well as his retail background will be a real asset to our organization,” says Nevin Montgomery, NFRA president & CEO. “He brings substantial industry insight as well as a fresh perspective to the table.”

Rumachik’s has more than 33 years of experience in the food industry. At FMI, he was responsible for providing the overall strategic direction for the wholesaler member segment, and managing the staff and resources of the member services function. NFRA said Rumachik also has worked at all levels of store management in both medium and high-volume retail food stores. He has also worked in supervisory and advisory roles with wholesalers, independently owned supermarkets and chain stores of various formats.

Prior to joining FMI, in 1991, Rumachik was instructor of supermarket management training with SUPERVALU. He is relocating to the Harrisburg area with his family.