Food industry finds new friend in high place

Few people in the food industry know the name Denzel McGuire, but that’s about to change as she just became the industry’s best friend in the nation’s capital.

McGuire has been named EVP of government relations at the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which is a big deal considering the food industry is under relentless pressure and regulatory scrutiny. GMA needs a strong voice and a connected presence in the nation’s capital to represent the interests of its members and McGuire fits the bill on both fronts, according to GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey.

“Denzel McGuire has 20 years of experience in Congress working on a full range of policy issues. She is widely recognized as a masterful negotiator, outstanding legislative strategist and consensus builder,” Bailey said. “Denzel’s experience in both the Senate and House and her leadership on passage of a wide array of legislation will be invaluable in the legislative and policy efforts of the food, beverage and consumer products industry.”

Most noteworthy is her recent experience serving the past four years as policy adviser to incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), from whom she earned praised for working on some of the thorniest legislative matters facing Congress.

Before joining McConnell’s staff, McGuire served as deputy chief of staff and policy director for Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) when he was Senate Republican whip, and earlier served Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) as minority staff director of the Senate Budget Committee. She worked for five years as a key education policy leader on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and before that served as staff member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

McGuire began her Hill career as a legislative correspondent and press assistant for Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.). McGuire will lead and oversee GMA’s policy and advocacy work at the federal, state and local level. She will be a member of the GMA senior leadership team and report to Bailey.