IDFA Announces Key Staff Promotions

IDFA Announces Key Staff Promotions

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2024-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced today the promotion of three staff members.

Andrew Jerome has been promoted to Vice President, Communications.

Andrew Jerome joined IDFA in February 2020 as Director, External and Member Communications. Andrew's new role will allow him to expand his responsibilities managing the organization's communications, marketing of events, and reputation management activities for IDFA members and the broader dairy and food industries. Most recently, Andrew served as IDFA's Associate Vice President, Communications. Before coming to IDFA, he provided policy and communications guidance and representation to food companies, trade associations, farm groups, and universities for Michael Torrey Associates. Prior to that, he served as Communications Director for the National Farmers Union. A native of Southern Maryland, he holds a bachelor's degree in public relations with an emphasis on American politics and policy from West Virginia University.

Jessica Matsko has been promoted to Manager, Executive Office & Special Projects.

Jessica Matsko joined IDFA 17 years ago as an Administrative Assistant and then as Administration & Accounting Coordinator, providing support to IDFA staff, leadership, and administrative and accounting functions. Most recently, Jessica served as Executive Administrator for the President's Office, providing strategic support to IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., and IDFA Chief of Staff Colin Newman, as well as to members of the Executive Team and IDFA Board Members. Jessica is a dedicated administrative professional with more than 20 years of experience handling a wide range of administrative, technical, and support tasks. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in international politics and German from Penn State University and a Master of Arts degree in international affairs from American University.

Victoria Pender has been promoted to Manager, Events & Programs.

Since joining IDFA in September 2022 as Membership and Programs Coordinator, Victoria has supported all membership and programs activities, member service programs and systems, and the coordination and execution of IDFA's webinars, conferences and educational programs. In her new role, Victoria will help to develop, manage, and evaluate IDFA's knowledge and programmatic assets, support external relationship management, and provide strategic support to IDFA's Membership team. Prior to IDFA, Vicotria worked for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the Helicopter Association International (HAI). She earned her Bachelor of Science in poultry science and minor in agriculture business from North Carolina State University.

Learn more about the full IDFA team at www.idfa.org/idfa-staff.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

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