As one long and memorable journey ends, another is just beginning. Following over a decade spent bolstering the foodservice sector through his work with the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) and the IFMA Education Foundation, President and CEO Larry Oberkfell has recently announced that he will be stepping down at the close of 2021.
"I have made the decision to return to the industry that I love and to begin my path on a new journey," Oberkfell said. "Serving the foodservice manufacturer community for the last twelve years has been an extremely rewarding experience for me personally and professionally."
Oberkfell first joined IFMA as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2008, after holding leadership positions across several food industry companies such as Schwan Food Company, Anchor Food Products, and GESD Capital as Managing Director. During his tenure, Oberkfell led IFMA through unprecedented growth and achieved great success in service of the industry, a press release explained.
"Larry has been our beacon for over a decade, leading us through a litany of industry challenges and a complete remaking of IFMA," said Hugh Roth, Chief Customer Officer at PepsiCo Foodservice and 2021 IFMA Board Chair. "Through his vision and leadership, the association's value proposition is stronger and positioned for further innovation and growth. We salute Larry for paving the way for the future of IFMA and our great industry."
Until the end of this year, Oberkfell will continue to lead the association and foundation while assisting the Board in its search for a new CEO. IFMA’s Board has partnered with Russell Reynolds Associates to conduct a nationwide search for the industry trailblazer’s successor.
"I have had the great benefit of an extraordinarily active and committed Board of Directors that has made my journey both fun and rewarding," said Oberkfell. "Together since 2008, we have grown IFMA member value to a level that we could not have imagined. The IFMA team has successfully grown member value and overall membership even during 2020, when the pandemic was especially brutal to our industry. Rest assured, I will not leave until the transition occurs smoothly with the Board selecting a new CEO. I am confident that we will identify a new leader who will take IFMA to a new tomorrow."
In addition to his role as IFMA President and CEO, Oberkfell also serves on the National Restaurant Association Board and is actively involved in many other industry-related groups, like the GS-1 Executive Committee.
Deli Market News will keep an eye out for what this foodservice stalwart does next, so keep reading.
