FMI Appoints Food Safety and Regulatory Staff Members to New Positions

ARLINGTON, VA – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today recognizes four staff members for their leadership, achievements, and contributions to FMI’s regulatory and food safety advocacy work. The following staff members received promotions:

Andrew Harig serves as vice president, tax, trade, sustainability & policy development. In his 16 years at the organization, Harig has primarily focused on complex issues that affect retail operations, supply chain and social responsibility, including sustainability, agriculture, taxes, trade and pensions. Recently, Harig assumed responsibility for government relations activities regarding labor and transportation, including challenges the industry faces around driver shortages, self-driving trucks and infrastructure needs. Harig is also the Retail Association Lead to the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, an industry coalition that encourages policy and programs that redirect uneaten food from landfill.

Hannah Walker was promoted to vice president, political affairs. Walker leads several initiatives to foster competition in the financial services space and safeguard federal food assistance programs in the retail industry. During her seven years at FMI, Walker has marked several historic wins protecting pro-competitive swipe fee reforms, ensuring the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and assisting SNAP facilitation in times of crisis. In addition to her advocacy efforts on payments, technology, and data privacy and security issues, Walker will now manage FMI’s political programs, including FMI’s Political Action Committee (FOODPAC) and LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Development Fund).  Walker was honored among the 2018 “Top Women in Grocery” by Progressive Grocer.

Ashley Eisenbeiser serves as senior director of food & product safety programs. In her elevated role, Eisenbeiser expands her responsibilities to the FMI product supplier members and provides technical support for retail and wholesale members. In her six years with the organization, Eisenbeiser continues to serve FMI’s retail and wholesale members on food safety training; technical services; regulatory compliance; and industry research and resources. She also works with the FMI Foundation on food safety education and research projects.  

Kristie Grzywinski was promoted to technical director of Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI. For nearly eight years, Grzywinski has spearheaded all SQFI’s food safety and quality training functions for SQF professionals pursuant to her extensive science and regulatory career. She oversees the development and delivery of seven training programs in more than five languages and three online training courses; she facilitates the execution of training to SQFI’s food industry stakeholders by directing over 30 licensed training centers and 75+ trainers; and she will continue to support the SQFI team in the update and execution of the SQF Code.