GMA Hires Director of State Affairs

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has appointed Kelsey Johnson its new director of state affairs. Reporting to GMA VP of State Affairs Mandy Hagan, Johnson is responsible for the organization’s state advocacy activities in the Midwest and Southern regions on behalf of member companies.

“Her leadership and expertise in driving public policy initiatives will be a valuable asset as we seek responsible public policy solutions at all levels of government on behalf of the food, beverage and consumer products industry,” said Louis Finkel, EVP of government affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based trade organization.

Winning Advocacy

Johnson (right) spent more than five years in the business sector and three years as a staffer in the offices of the Minnesota House, Senate and Attorney General. In 2012, she managed a state senate campaign that wasn’t favored to win but ultimately did. She comes to GMA from Maple Grove, Minn.-based Hill Capitol Strategies, where she represented more than 20 clients, among them corporations, coalitions, nonprofits, trade and governmental associations, on a range of issues.

“By joining the GMA Government Affairs team, I plan to contribute to the association’s already strong reputation as an effective advocacy organization,” noted Johnson, laying out her intention of “educating policymakers in states and communities around the country about issues that impact the food, beverage and consumer products industry.”