Industry Intelligence

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has hired Lucas Darnell, a tenured frozen food industry professional, to be its director of member services. The appointment aims to reinforce the Arlington, Va.-based organization’s investment in, and commitment to, the food retailers it represents.

Darnell joins the membership department team to help deliver on FMI’s retailer and wholesaler benefits, and increase the association’s member base by cultivating new interest and involvement. He’ll also work closely with FMI’s supplier members to facilitate engagement opportunities between trading partners.

Before coming to FMI, Darnell was a longtime employee of the McLean, Va.-based American Frozen Foods Institute (AFFI), where he worked across multiple functions in the organization and its communication pulse points: industry and legislative affairs, and ultimately, member services. Together with AFFI, Darnell was also the interim executive director of the National Frozen Pizza Institute, also based in McLean.

“Lucas’ communications skills and deep roots in industry services will broaden the scope of FMI’s membership department,” noted Dagmar Farr, FMI’s SVP of member services. “We believe his long-standing dedication to this industry will translate to increased opportunities for FMI members.”