ARLINGTON, Va. — Karen Brown, a longtime executive with Food Marketing Institute here, is planning to retire from her post as senior vice president, effective Jan. 1, 2009, she told SN yesterday. Separately, Brian Tully, also a senior vice president at FMI, resigned yesterday to pursue other opportunities, sources told SN. Brown oversees FMI’s communications, marketing, issues advocacy, information services, food safety programs and member services, and also serves as secretary to the FMI board of directors. She had been a member of the pubic affairs staff of the National Association of Food Chains before it merged with the Super Market Institute to form FMI in 1977. Prior to being named senior vice president in 1994, she was vice president of consumer affairs from 1978-1981, and vice president of communications from 1981-1994. “I’ve had a great career, and I’ve been contemplating for some time when would be a good time to go on to my next adventure, and the time is here,” she said. Tully had been with FMI for 26 years and had recently been overseeing the FMI Show. FMI said in May that Tim Hammonds, president and chief executive officer, would leave as soon as a successor is found. His successor is expected to be named soon.

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