Lance’s Blake Thompson Elected New SFA Chairman | Photos
Blake Thompson, senior vice president of supply chain at Lance, Inc., was installed Friday, March 5 as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Snack Food Association (SFA).
Thompson succeeds 2009 Chairman Terry McDaniel, president & chief executive officer of The Inventure Group, Inc., who has served in the association’s top elective position since March 2009. Thompson accepted his new leadership rule during SNAXPO 2010, the association’s national convention, which attracted nearly 1,500 snack food executives from 35 countries worldwide.
Thompson commended McDaniel for his strong leadership over the past year, during which he helped the association improve services to members and strengthen its voice in government affairs. Both Thompson and McDaniel urged SFA member companies to become actively involved in the association, including its efforts to represent the industry at both the state and federal levels.
“The waters for our country and our association will continue to be turbulent,” Thompson predicted, pointing to major challenges involving such governmental issues as food safety legislation, efforts to legislate and regulate nutrition, and taxes. “Are these the waters that we want to traverse on our own?” he asked. “That is why we need a strong SFA with everyone involved.”
Thompson brings some 30 years experience in the snack food industry to his new post as SFA chairman, previously serving as the senior vice president of supply chain for Tasty Baking Co. after a 22 year career at the Frito-Lay Company, he worked for 22 years in a wide-range of senior management positions, including region vice president of northeast operations, and director of operations, Carolinas Region of Frito Lay.