NFRA Elects Rich Products' Shannon Gilreath as Board Chair for 2026-27

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association elected Shannon Gilreath, SVP of consumer brands at Rich Products Corp., as chair of its board for 2026-27. Officers were elected at the association's annual board meeting Oct. 17. Directors were elected at the annual membership meeting held during the NFRA Convention.

Gilreath takes the gavel as NFRA advances its 2030 Strategic Plan. That plan includes the rollout of a new demand-generation platform plus initiatives aimed at accelerating category growth and strengthening member engagement.

"NFRA is entering an exciting period of opportunity for our categories," Gilreath said. "I look forward to working alongside our board and membership to build on the association's momentum, strengthen industry partnerships and support initiatives that help drive growth and long-term success."

Who joins the officer bench?

Five other officers round out the leadership slate:

• Chair-elect: Derek DeMuth, Ajinomoto Foods North America
• Secretary: Scott Evans, Associated Wholesale Grocers
• Treasurer: Lindsey Hickey, Simek's
• Vice chair, frozen: Jorge Silva, The Campbell's Company
• Vice chair, refrigerated: Kevin Herd, Danone North America

The officer mix matters for suppliers and retailers alike. It places a frozen-food maker, a refrigerated-dairy executive and a wholesaler in the association's top jobs at the same time.

What does this change for marketers?

Fourteen new members joined the board of directors: Richard Akins, Alliance Sales & Marketing; Luisiana Almonte, The Magnum Ice Cream Company; Hayley Berkshire, Mars Snacking; Kimberly Dale, Giant Eagle; Brian Dicken, Save A Lot; Richard Dudley, Conagra Brands; Kristin Goetz, Northeast Shared Services; Ria Gray, UNFI; Melanie Jones, Schwan's Consumer Brands; Cammy Kromer, Tropicana Brands Group; Cathy Magistrelli, Wakefern Food Corp.; Jason Milburn, The Kroger Co.; Jason Ramsey, Merchants Distributors Inc.; Ron Schwenn, Albertsons Companies; and Joe Squires, Land O'Lakes Foods.

The full 2026-27 board spans 29 seats and reads like a cross-section of the industry, from Kraft Heinz and General Mills to retailers Target, Kroger and Giant Eagle, plus distributors such as KeHE and UNFI.

Advisory directors and council members

NFRA also named 19 advisory directors, including Scott Aldridge of Dairy Farmers of America, Becca Bellino of Harris Teeter, Tom Finn of InnovAsian Cuisine, Suzanne Kasunich of Ateeco/Mrs. T's Pierogies, Elliott Mason of Once Upon a Farm, Andy Reichgut of Red's All Natural and Ted Yeomans of Advantage Solutions.

Nine council members complete the roster: Michelle Baldwin of Chobani, Christine Bellamo of Daymon, Eddy Birth of Mars Ice Cream, Whitney Fortin of The Happy Egg Co., Tim Heil of Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs, Sandra Horn of CA Ferolie, Scott Klane of Daisy Brand, Daniel Menkens of RecorGroup and Jim Perillo of RDD Associates.

The backdrop

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based NFRA represents all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. It sponsors national promotions including March Frozen Food Month and June Dairy Month, and reaches consumers through its Easy Home Meals platform.

The leadership change follows a strong convention year for the association. With the 2030 Strategic Plan now in motion and a demand-generation platform on the way, Gilreath's board will shape how frozen and refrigerated brands compete for shopper attention over the next two years.