Last updated on November 21st, 2019
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is adding Roberta Wagner and Spencer Pederson to its growing leadership team as the organization prepares to relaunch as the Consumer Brands Association in January 2020.
Roberta Wagner will join GMA as the VP of regulatory and technical affairs on Dec. 2. Wagner spent 33 years in public service, most recently as the assistant administrator of the Office of Policy and Program Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the agency’s lead policy position. Previously, Wagner served as the deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Field Operations at FSIS, where she oversaw a workforce of 7,800 inspection program personnel, including consumer safety officers and inspectors, public health veterinarians and food inspectors. Wagner spent 20 years with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, working in a variety of roles from analytical chemist to associate director for Food Safety Modernization Act operations.
Spencer Pederson has been named VP of federal affairs, joining GMA from the American Chemistry Council (ACC). While at ACC, Pederson served as the director of federal affairs, managing a broad portfolio of issues including running the organization’s Rail Customer Coalition. Previously, Pederson spent 12 years on Capitol Hill, most recently working for Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, as his senior policy advisor for the senator’s work on the Senate’s Energy and National Resources and Finance Committees.
“I’m thrilled to have Roberta and Spencer join our team at this pivotal time for the organization,” said GMA President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “As we gear up to relaunch as the Consumer Brands Association, Roberta and Spencer will play integral roles in growing our advocacy efforts. Their respective agency and Hill experience will be an invaluable resource to our members.”
