Oberkfell to Lead the Association on Its Continued Growth Direction Through the End of the Year
CHICAGO, May 17, 2021— After 12 years successfully leading the largest foodservice
manufacturers association, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) and the IFMA
Education Foundation, President & CEO Larry Oberkfell announced today that he will be stepping down
when his contract ends at the close of 2021. Until then, he will continue to lead the Association and
Foundation, and assist the Board leadership in the search for a new CEO.
“I have made the decision to return to the industry that I love and to begin my path on a new journey,”
Oberkfell said. “Serving the foodservice manufacturer community for the last twelve years has been an
extremely rewarding experience for me personally and professionally.”
Oberkfell joined IFMA as President & CEO in 2008 after successful roles leading several food industry
companies including Schwan Food Company, Anchor Food Products, and GESD Capital as Managing Director.
Through his leadership and vision, he steered IFMA through unprecedented growth and navigated the
association to success in service of the industry.
“I have had the great benefit of an extraordinarily active and committed board of directors that has made
my journey both fun and rewarding,” added Oberkfell. “Together since 2008, we have grown IFMA member
value to a level that we could not have imagined. The IFMA team has successfully grown member value and
overall membership even during 2020, when the pandemic was especially brutal to our industry. Rest
assured, I will not leave until the transition occurs smoothly with the Board selected new CEO. I am
confident that we will identify a new leader who will take IFMA to a new tomorrow.”
IFMA Board leadership has selected Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA), a leader in executive search and
assessment, to partner with the search committee in conducting a nationwide search for Oberkfell’s
successor. For more information, contact Stephanie Tomasso and Andrew Hayes at RRA: IFMA@russellreynolds.com.
“Larry has been our beacon for over a decade, leading us through a litany of industry challenges and a
complete remaking of IFMA,” said Hugh Roth, Chief Customer Officer at PepsiCo Foodservice and 2021 IFMA
Board Chair. “Through his vision and leadership, the association’s value proposition is stronger and
positioned for further innovation and growth. We salute Larry for paving the way for the future of IFMA
and our great industry.”
In addition to serving as IFMA President & CEO, Oberkfell currently serves on the National Restaurant
Association Board and is active in many industry related groups such as the GS-1 Executive Committee.