"Our executive committee will be conducting a search for a new chief executive officer at IFDA," said J. Michael Roach, chairman of IFDA and president of Ben E. Keith Foods, Fort Worth, Texas. "If by the time of John's departure we have not named a replacement, an interim appointment will be made. We sincerely appreciate John's work with our industry over the past decade, and wish him luck in his new endeavor," said Roach.
Gray has been with IFDA since 1994 and was instrumental in its successful secession from the Food Distributors International just more than a year ago.
"After a thorough search, it was clear that John Gray was the right person to lead our association into the future," said HDMA Chairman Eric Schuss.
"With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, John Gray appreciates the complexity, challenges, and opportunities of the distribution business. He clearly possesses the skills, energy, and enthusiasm necessary to be the healthcare distribution industry's chief advocate."
Gray also served as Food Distributor International's (FDI's) executive vice president and general counsel. When FDI merged with the Food Marketing Institute, Gray became president and ceo of IFDA, which formed to represent foodservice distributors in 2003. From 1987 to 1994, Gray served as vice president of education and as industry affairs counsel for the Grocery Manufacturers of America. Gray holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor's degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
"HDMA presented me with an extraordinary opportunity and a fascinating set of challenges," says Gray. "Healthcare distributors are responsible for ensuring that Americans have affordable access to life-saving drugs. I look forward to promoting the value of this vital and innovative industry."
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