FMI names Heather Garlich director of media, public relations

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Wednesday named Heather Garlich as the association’s director of media and public relations. She will be responsible for managing communications outreach and information activities related to FMI’s strategic goals, including government relations, food safety, conferences and events, and industry relations.

“We are pleased to welcome Heather to the FMI communications team,” FMI president and CEO Leslie Sarasin said. “Her wealth of experience in consumer, trade and government communications, coupled with her skills in media relations, will most decidedly enrich FMI’s presence as the voice of the food retail community.”

Prior to joining FMI, Garlich spent nearly four years at Porter Novelli Public Services in the food and nutrition practice. At the firm, she held management roles on numerous clients, such as Welch’s, Almond Board of California and Pharmavite, developing business plans related to nutrition policy, food science and current trends. Garlich’s experience spans multiple communications platforms, including stakeholder relations, traditional press and digital media strategies.

In addition, Garlich’s history includes trade associations, as she previously served as the manager for member communications at the Grocery Manufacturing Association and was an integral part of the 2006 merger of GMA and the Food Products Association. Garlich holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a journalism concentration from the University of Delaware.