GMA Names Finkel EVP

WASHINGTON — Grocery Manufacturers Association on Wednesday said it has named Louis A. Finkel executive vice president of government affairs, a newly created post that will centralize management of the association's federal and state government affairs groups, a GMA spokeswoman told SN.

He is currently vice president, federal public affairs group, McGuireWoods Consulting, where he represents corporate, trade association and not-for-profit clients before Congress and executive-branch agencies. He specializes in food, hunger, agriculture, energy, technology, telecommunications, environmental, health care, trade and tax policy issues. A 19-year veteran of Capitol Hill, he previously had been chief of staff for the U.S House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, which was chaired by Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn.

“Louis is a trusted and respected advocate who has built strong relationships on both sides of the aisle in pursuit of public policy goals,” said Pamela G. Bailey, president and chief executive officer, GMA. "His professional, bipartisan approach to policy-making 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 is slated to begin at GMA on April 9 and will report to Bailey.