The Organic Trade Association(OTA)announced that communications specialistReana Kovalcikwill be joining the association as its Director of Public Affairs. At OTA, Kovalcik will be responsible for developing and managing various communications, media, and public affairs activities that impact organic stakeholders, and will act as the lead media contact for the association. Kovalcik was most recently communications adviser for American Forests, and previously worked for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition as associate director of its communications department.Maggie McNeil,who has served as Director of Media Relations for OTA since 2014, will be retiring.

Natural Trade Brokershas appointedRuth Hawthorneas Joint MD.

Trifectahas hiredKaren Townsend,CFO, CPA, to lead the company’s finance organization and strategize financial planning and execution, private and public investor relations, corporate risk management and treasury functions, and budgeting and financial forecasting. Townsend joins Trifecta with over 20 years of experience in consumer products with deep financial expertise in direct-to-consumer, retail, and wholesale operations. She has worked for Sole Technology Inc., Brighton Collectibles, and Lakeshore Learning Materials.

Lycoredhas appointedDr. Jennifer Elegbedeto lead application and product development strategy as Global Applications Manager of the company’s food business unit. Dr. Elegbede will be responsible for managing the application of Lycored’s natural color, taste, and texture ingredients and aligning them to deliver nutritional and labelling goals, leading the applications development unit for the company’s food business unit world-wide. Additionally, she will oversee the start-up of a new US-based applications lab, as well as manage operations of Lycored’s existing Swiss lab.

Farmer Focushas hiredSean McLendonto lead Research and Development. McLendon brings over 25 years of experience in product research and development, innovation, quality control, and operations in protein, across fresh and fully cooked food manufacturers. He also has extensive knowledge of marinated proteins and flavor trends honed during his tenure at Lumina Foods, JBS USA, and CraftWorks Restaurants and Breweries.

PLT Health Solutionshas namedJudith Hufnagelas Director, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance as part of the company's Regulatory team. Hufnagel will work closely with the company's product development, scientific, marketing and quality groups in developing regulatory profiles for ingredients and managing messaging and claims globally. She will also work with PLT customers, helping them navigate regulatory issues related to PLT ingredients around the world. Previously, Hufnagel spent nearly 10 years in a variety of roles at GNC—most recently as Director of Research and Development.

IFFannounced thatAndreas Fibig,Chairman and CEO, plans to retire. Fibig will continue in his role as Chairman and CEO until a successor is named, which is expected by early 2022. At the time of his retirement, Fibig will also step down from IFF’s Board of Directors.