American Frozen Food Institute Announces New Conferences Staff

American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today announced the addition of two new staff members to AFFI’s conferences department. Mary Becton joins AFFI as the new director of conferences, while Kristen Friend is the new manager of conferences.

“Experienced and talented staff are essential to the success of a trade association, and the addition of Mary and Kristen bolsters an already highly-skilled AFFI,” said Naasz. “Both Mary and Kristen bring the experience and skill set necessary to produce events and conferences our members rely upon as a benefit of AFFI membership. I’m proud to welcome them to the AFFI team.”

Mary Becton joins AFFI as director of conferences. Previously she spent four years at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), where she served as director of meetings and events. Before ASID, Becton was a meeting planner for the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association and the Industrial Truck Association. She also served as the executive assistant in the office of Senator John McCain. Becton has a B.S. in marketing from George Mason University.

Reporting directly to Becton is Kristen Friend, manager of conferences, who came to AFFI from the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP). As AMCP’s meetings coordinator, she was responsible for helping coordinate two large annual meetings and managing all exhibitors. Prior to AMCP, Friend was the meetings and registration assistant for the American Staffing Association. Friend has a B.B.A. in hospitality tourism management, with a concentration in special events and meeting planning, from James Madison University.