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.
Jay M. Peltz
Vice President, Public & Consumer Affairs and Metro Office Mgr.
Jay serves as the Food Industry Alliance’s voice in the Metro – New York region before the Administration and Council of New York City and the county and local governments in Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester Counties. Jay oversees a comprehensive public affairs program that includes: lobbying; maintaining communications with FIA members operating in this region; writing/editing FIA’s Metro newsletter Fast Food Facts; coordinating FIA’s WIC Task Force; representing the industry with the Public/Private Initiatives Team at the NYC Office of Emergency Management; and overseeing FIA’s Metro office.
Jay possesses an extensive industry and public sector background. Besides his experience as a supermarket owner/operator in Peekskill, New York, Jay was Associate General Counsel for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, Counsel and Legislative Director in the New York State Legislature, and Senior Assistant Corporate Counsel for the City of White Plains.
Jay received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctorate from the Fordham University School of Law.
Ava B. 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 L. Garrow
Administrative Assistant, Government and Trade Relations
Kristy serves as the Administrative Assistant for Government & Trade 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.
Daniel J. 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.