GMA Taps Bailey as New CEO

MARK HAMSTRA

WASHINGTON — Grocery Manufacturers Association here last week said it has named Pamela G. Bailey as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding C. Manly Molpus, who had been serving as interim president and CEO since September.

Pamela G. Bailey

Bailey, who is scheduled to assume her new role next month, has been president and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council — formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association — since 2005.

“Pam's extensive experience in government service, bipartisan approach to public policy, success as a trade association leader and her strong credentials in the consumer packaged goods industry made her an obvious choice to position GMA to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Douglas Conant, president and CEO of Campbell Soup Co. and chairman of GMA, in a prepared statement.

At PCPC, which represents HBC and cosmetics companies, Bailey “redefined the direction of the association,” GMA said, and enhanced the group's advocacy and communications capabilities. GMA also noted that she enacted the personal care products industry's first Consumer Commitment Code, a set of guidelines designed to provide consumers and regulators with an outline of industry initiatives concerning product safety. It took effect in January of last year.

GMA said Bailey declined to comment on her appointment until she begins in her role in January.

Leslie G. Sarasin, recently appointed president and CEO of Food Marketing Institute, Arlington, Va., in a prepared statement described Bailey as an “excellent selection.”

“She brings vision and leadership to the industry at this critical time,” Sarasin said. “It will be my pleasure to work with her as FMI and GMA collaboratively approach industry issues.”

Prior to joining PCPC, Bailey was president and CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association. In addition, she was the founding CEO and president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a group of executives focused on reforming U.S. health care policies. She also was head of the Office of Communications Planning under President Reagan, and was the assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She served as an advisor to both Presidents Ford and Nixon.

She is also a former director at Albertsons, the Boise, Idaho-based chain that is now part of Supervalu, Minneapolis.