GMA Appoints EVP, Gov’t Affairs

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has named Louis A. Finkel its EVP of government affairs, effective April 9. Reporting to Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Washington-based trade association, Finkel will be a member of the GMA Senior Leadership Team. In his new role, he will direct the organization’s federal and state and local government relations activity.

“He is an effective leader, advocate and policy expert that will help GMA and its member companies continue to develop, promote and implement responsible public policy solutions that benefit consumers and that also make the world a better place,” said Bailey, adding: “His professional, bipartisan approach to policymaking is the right fit for GMA. He is also a seasoned strategist and an effective communicator that knows how to develop and motivate high-performing teams.”

Finkel has 19 years’ experience on Capitol Hill, working inside and outside of government. He was chief of staff for the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, which was chaired by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). In that role, he advanced the committee’s legislative and oversight agenda and helped modernize and transform the committee through effective organizational and personnel management policies.

He is currently VP, federal public affairs group at Washington-based McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, in which capacity he represents corporate, trade association and not-for-profit clients before Congress and executive-branch agencies, specializing in food, hunger, agriculture, energy, technology, telecommunications, environmental, health care, trade and tax policy issues.

Finkel previously worked in the government relations office of Exxon Mobil; at Lent, Scrivner & Roth LLC; as legislative director and senior legislative assistant to Gordon; and as legislative assistant and staff assistant to Rep. Peter Deutsch (D-Fla.).