The association has formed a selection committee to facilitate the transition process over the next year and hired Kincannon & Reed to assist in recruiting Newman's successor.

“It has been my privilege to represent the industry and lead AFIA through a period of exciting and significant change,” Newman said. “I am very proud of the many achievements and successes that we have accomplished together. My deepest thanks go to the AFIA members and staff who have supported and made this success possible.”

Newman has led AFIA for the past 15 years, during which he has ushered in a landmark era of change, according to the announcement. During the early 2000s, Newman worked with members and staff to develop a strategic focus that better aligned the association to meet the future needs of the changing industry and led to the creation of AFIA's 4 Promises of Member Value.

AFIA's education programs and networking events also saw tremendous growth during this time. Newman championed an expanded global focus on the development of international food safety standards and opening more international trade opportunities for the industry. Most recently, AFIA has implemented a Sustainability Initiative, which includes the development of collaborative industry messaging to address consumers' concerns regarding the animal protein industry. All of this has led to a more than 50% increase in member engagement and increased industry value.

Newman has also served as president of the association's public charity, the Institute for Feed Education & Research, since its inception 10 years ago. He has represented the U.S. animal feed industry on international issues, including serving on the International Feed Industry Federation's (IFIF) board of directors and as IFIF chairman, and he was a member of the U.S. delegation to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Newman has spent his career in the agriculture and food industries. Prior to joining AFIA, he held executive positions at Agway Inc., Maple Leaf Foods Inc. and United Cooperative Farmers.

Newman will continue to serve as president and CEO of AFIA over the next 12 months and will assist with the transition through the end of 2019. As part of its succession planning, the AFIA board of directors appointed a selection committee in May to lead the recruitment and succession process. The committee will be working with Kincannon & Reed to recruit a strategic, collaborative and results-oriented individual who can lead the organization to deliver on its mission and develop strategies that address its vision for the future.

The association aims to make a candidate recommendation to the board for its review by the summer. Pending the board's final approval, Newman expects to officially introduce and onboard the new president and CEO in the fall of 2019.

Founded in 1909, AFIA, based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 680 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry: manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers.

AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as a leader on international industry developments and holds membership in IFIF.