The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) has hired longtime supplier-company and association executive Phil Kafarakis to succeed Larry Oberkfell as president and CEO effective Nov. 1.
Kafarakis was previously president of the Specialty Foods Association. He has also served as chief innovation and member advancement officer for the National Restaurant Association.
Earlier in his career, Kafarakis held top-level executive positions at a number of restaurant supplier companies, including Kraft, Cargill and McCormick & Co.
IFMA represents and supports the restaurant industry’s supplier community. It also the administrator of the Silver and Gold Plate awards, the honors awarded annually to outstanding executives from the operator side of the restaurant business.
Oberkfell has led IFMA for 12 years. He announced earlier this year that he intends to return to the corporate world.
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