AGA’s Freeman accepts position as president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association

Geoff Freeman (pictured), who has for the previous five years served as the president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of this American Gaming Association (AGA) and led the lobbying campaign in Washington, DC, to reform the federal ban online sports gambling, is to become the president and CEO for its Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

Since November 01, 2013, Tim Wilmott writes to convey that Freeman has accepted the new position with the GMA, which represents the $2.1 trillion food sector that likewise announced the appointment on June 5, 2018.

In line with this email, Freeman will keep his position using the AGA by the end of July, during which time the series process is going to be launched. Wilmott further explains that over the forthcoming weeks, he combined with Executive Committee coworkers will work with Freeman to build a strategy of transition, solicit opinions as to some best-fit replacement and start a search process for a new CEO.  He notes the creation of this committee doesn’t eliminate the chance of choosing a candidate from inside the AGA.

The official press release from the firm which represents the entire world ’s biggest branded food, beverage and consumer product businesses, communicates its assortment of Freeman came after an exhaustive search after the announcement by Pamela G. Bailey in February that she would be retiring after nearly a decade as the company’s president and CEO. Freeman is to reportedly work alongside Bailey, GMA’s board of directors and its senior staff during the next few months to help facilitate a smooth leadership transition.

Head of the GMA’s research committee and CEO for Freshpet, Inc., William (Billy) Cyr, said, “Geoff has an established track record of building unity, creating successful involvement on complicated issues and taking a proactive approach to advocacy that drives growth and growth.

Cyr added they look forward to benefitting Freeman’s “extensive experience in major transformative change across sectors as diverse as health care insurance, travel and tourism, and casino gaming.

The email out of Mott temporarily highlights the AGA’s victories through Freeman’s tenure most notablly that the May 14, 2018, repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) from the Supreme Court, which paves the way for gaming legalization and growth throughout the nation.

Previously Chief Operating Officer for its U.S. Travel Association, Freeman successfully worked to find The Traveling Promotion Act of 2009 signed in to legislation, which reportedly created $200 million in annual funding for the marketing of tourism into the U.S., paving the way for the creation of the TSA PreCheck program, according to the press release.

For his role, Freeman said, “I’ve always been attracted to businesses with a close relationship to customers and am energized by the opportunity to play a part in driving the growth and evolution of one that’s a vital part of individuals ’s everyday lives.

“I look forward to leading the development of strategies that firmly establish GMA as an effective driver of growth and cooperation in our business,” said Freeman.