PFI names new board officers for upcoming year

WASHINGTON — The Pet Food Institute (PFI) announced its new board officers for 2025 to 2026. Additionally, Scott Salmon, president of Simmons Pet Food, has been elected board chair for the upcoming year.

Salmon has more than 25 years of experience in the retail industry. He joined Simmons Pet Food in February 2020 and has since supported the company through various operational expansions. In addition to his leadership at Simmons Pet Food, Salmon most recently served as vice chair of PFI’s board.

“I’m excited to work alongside my fellow board members this year to strengthen the Pet Food Institute’s commitment to pet food safety, advocacy, education and the promotion of pets,” he said. “Together, we can help ensure pets enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

Salmon succeeds former PFI Chair Nina Leigh Krueger, chief executive officer and president of Nestlé Purina Petcare.

“Over the past two years, we have worked diligently to address significant pet food regulatory issues through the introduction of the PURR Act in Congress,” she said. “PFI staff have dedicated tremendous resources, time and effort to solidify industry alignment, drive support with state Directors of Agriculture, advocate for Congressional sponsorship, and continue dialogue with folks who oppose industry regulatory modernization.

“I am honored to have worked with the PFI staff during the outset of this portfolio of work, and I look forward to continuing to support them,” Krueger added. “I know that this important work will continue under the leadership and guidance of the new board officers.”

New board officers include:

• Reed Howlett, chief executive officer of Wellness Pet Company, will serve as vice chair
• Yvonne Hsu, US president and general manager of Hill’s Pet Nutrition US, will serve as secretary
• Frank Ziacik, commercial director, North America pet food at Cargill, will serve as treasurer
• Scott Morris, president and CEO of Freshpet, will serve as personnel officer

“We are excited about our 2025 to 2026 officers, who will each bring diverse experience and expertise to Pet Food Institute’s board of directors,” said Dana Brooks, president and CEO, PFI. “These board members will work diligently to represent the interests of all pet food makers, who work hard every day to produce safe and nutritious pet food for America’s pets.”

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.