FMI Names Director of Media & PR

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has appointed Heather Garlich its director of media & public relations. In her new role, Garlich will manage communications outreach and information activities related to the trade organization’s strategic goals, among them government relations, food safety, conferences and events, and industry relations.

“Her wealth of experience in consumer, trade and government communications, coupled with her skills in media relations, will most decidedly enrich FMI’s presence as the voice of the food retail community,” noted Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of the Arlington, Va.-based association.

Before joining FMI, Garlich spent almost four years at Porter Novelli Public Services in the food and nutrition practice. At the firm, she worked with such clients as Welch’s, Almond Board of California and Pharmavite LLC, developing business plans related to nutrition policy, food science and current trends. Garlich’s experience encompasses multiple communications platforms, including stakeholder relations, traditional press and digital media strategies.

In addition, Garlich was previously manager for member communications at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and played a key role in the 2006 merger of Washington-based GMA and the Food Products Association (FPA).