Management Profiles

James T. Rogers
President and CEO

As President & CEO, Jim has the responsibility to oversee all aspects of the Food Industry Alliance which encompass administration, budget, membership development, communications (e.g. writing of FoodScan, promotional literature, monthly columns for trade periodicals, etc.), Board relations, Food Safety Committee, liaison to national associations on federal issues, and coordinating on state and local lobbying.  Additionally, he serves as editor of FoodScan, FIA's public affairs newsletter.

He has spent all of his professional life working for trade associations on public policy issues at both the federal and state levels. Previous employers include: the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants; the Food Marketing Institute; and, the National Restaurant Association.

Jim is a graduate of Ohio State University where he received a BS in Communications and an MA in Journalism/Public Relations.

Michael E. Rosen
Senior Vice President & General Counsel

As FIA’s lead lobbyist, Michael has primary responsibility for representing the members before both houses of the state legislature, the Governor’s office and the various state agencies (e.g. the Departments of Agriculture & Markets, Taxation and Finance, Environmental Conservation and Health, and the State Liquor Authority, the Lottery Division, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Division of Budget). Michael oversees FIA’s state political contributions. He is the staff liaison to the Government Relations Committee and the Loss Prevention/Asset Protection Committee as well as to the Wine in Food Stores, Bottle Law Reform and EBT/Food Stamp Task Forces.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Michael served as counsel to then Senator Joseph L. Bruno.  As the Senator’s counsel, he also served as counsel to the standing Senate Committees on Consumer Protection and Insurance.

Michael is a graduate of Wagner College and Albany Law School. He was admitted to practice law in New York in 1979.

Patricia Brodhagen
Vice President, Public & Consumer Affairs and Metro Office Mgr.

Pat is the Food Industry Alliance's representative in the New York City metropolitan region where she conducts a comprehensive public affairs program which includes lobbying the local legislative bodies of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. She also produces Friday Food Fax, a one-page update on metro matters, serves as staff liaison to the WIC Task Force and maintains the organization's downstate office.

Pat began her public policy career with the Health Planning Council in Madison, Wisconsin, moving from there to the Oregon State Legislature as part of a national demonstration project of the value of full-time, non-partisan, professional legislative committee staff.

She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with BA and MS degrees in Social Work.

Ava Stone
Director, Trade Relations and Office Manager

Ava directs FIA’s varied and extensive trade relations program which encompasses marketing, special events planning and execution, liaison to the supplier members and all trade-related promotional activities. Specifically, Ava oversees and manages the annual Red Carpet Salute, the “Jack Duffy Golf Classic,” the yearly “Trade Summit,” Regional Trade Receptions/Dinners, and the Charles McCullom Scholarship Saratoga Fundraiser. Ava’s other key accountabilities include recruitment and retention of Chairman’s Club members (i.e. grocery suppliers and manufacturers), arranging “guaranteed appointments” for Chairman’s Club members with supermarket chain and wholesale procurement officers, and preparation of FIA’s Salute Journal/Membership Directory. Additionally, Ava serves as office manager.

Kristy Garrow
Administrative Assistant, Government and Trade Relations

Kristy serves as the Administrative Assistant for Trade & Government Relations. In this capacity, she assists in the planning, preparation, and execution of trade events (e.g., Red Carpet Salute, “Trade Summit,” regional trade dinners, etc.) as well as FIA’s varied Government Relations activities (monthly GR meetings, WIC, EBT, etc.). Kristy also provides computer assistance and support to FIA staff.

Dan Gyoerkoe
Accounting Supervisor

Dan exercises oversight for all of FIA’s accounting functions which includes updating and maintaining detailed accounting records, preparing monthly financial statements, tracking accounts receivables, and coordinating with FIA’s outside accounting firm on the annual independent auditors’ report.