Siefken Wins MacManus Award

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute here said Thursday it has named Kathy Siefken the winner of its Donald H. MacManus Association Executive Award for her leadership in the legislative arena. She is executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association.

“Kathy Siefken has served as a stellar industry advocate, an excellent communicator on issues of importance and a committed leader focused on the vitality of the food industry,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and chief executive officer, presenting the award.

Over the 17 years she has led the Nebraska association, Siefken has addressed such issues as food taxes, school vending laws, credit-card interchange fees, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

FMI honors an association leader annually with the Donald H. MacManus award, now in its 20th year, for leadership in public affairs, industry relations and community relations. MacManus was executive director of the Rocky Mountain Food Dealers Association and FMI's Western Region director, and also served in the Colorado state legislature.