AFIA Celebrates Three Staff Promotions

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce the promotion of three staff members in recognition of their dedicated service to AFIA members and their contributions to advancing the association's mission.

The following staff have been promoted, effective May 1: Gary Huddleston, formerly AFIA's director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs, is now AFIA's senior director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs; Jessica Morse, formerly AFIA's director of meetings and events, is now AFIA's senior director of meetings & events; and Lynette Tucker, formerly AFIA's manager of meetings and sponsorships, is now AFIA's senior manager of meetings and sponsorships.

Huddleston has been with the AFIA since May 2015, joining the association following more than 30 years of service in feed manufacturing. Huddleston manages AFIA's regulatory efforts involving the Food and Drug Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation. He also assists in the development of AFIA's education programs. In recognition of training 1,000 or more participants, cumulatively in the four Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance training curricula, with FSPCA certificates issued, Huddleston was recognized as a top 10 FSPCA instructor.

Morse, who has been with the association a total of five years, has demonstrated strong leadership in offering high-quality event experiences. Morse plays a key role in planning and executing AFIA's major conferences and gatherings, including the education programs at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference, Feed Industry Institute, Board meetings, Equipment Manufacturers Conference and Executive Leadership Summit, as well as other AFIA events. In the past year, she accelerated AFIA's vision toward creating memorable attendee experiences at events, finding ways for members to better connect and conduct business while tying back to AFIA's advocacy mission.

Prior to joining the AFIA in July 2019, Tucker managed events and oversaw office operations for associations and agencies across a range of sectors. Tucker coordinates a variety of meetings and events, including the Pet Food Conference, Liquid Feed Symposium and other special programs. Tucker also actively develops innovative opportunities to enhance sponsor brand visibility at AFIA events, strengthening the overall value of the association's educational offerings.