Frito-Lay’s Vivek Sankaran Elected GMA Board Chairman

Vivek Sankaran, president and COO of Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay N.A., a division of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc., has been elected as the new chairman of the board of directors of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

Sankaran, who assumes his new role July 1, succeeds Chris Policinski, who is leaving the GMA board upon his retirement as president and CEO of Arden Hills, Minn.-based Land O’Lakes Inc. at the end of the month.

“I am honored and excited to play a leading role in helping guide the Association through this next era of change and growth,” said Sankaran. “I look forward to working in partnership with our new CEO, our board and our membership in the pursuit of a vibrant future for GMA and our industry.”

Additionally, William “Billy” Cyr, CEO of Secaucus, N.J.-based Freshpet Inc., was elected GMA board treasurer and chair of the board finance and audit committee.

This change in board leadership comes as Washington, D.C.-based GMA reinvents itself to meet the needs of consumers, and member companies refocus priorities, during a period of significant change and disruption throughout the CPG industry.

Earlier this month, GMA revealed that Geoff Freeman would become its new president and CEO on Aug. 1, succeeding Pamela G. Bailey, who is retiring. Sankaran and Cyr were members of the search committee for the new GMA president and CEO.