Grocery industry group names communications head

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has promoted Sean McBride to EVP communications and membership services, effective Jan. 1. The announcement was made by GMA president and CEO Pamela Bailey. McBride previously served as senior vice president of communications and marketing.

“Since joining GMA, Sean had taken on increasing responsibility, always executing with excellence,” said Bailey. “He has provided a high level of leadership, strategic direction and tactical execution that makes him the logical choice to serve in this new role and to advance the association’s member-driven agenda.”

In his new role, McBride will provide strategic leadership of the GMA communications and marketing function, the association’s membership development and services platform, and all GMA and joint industry conferences and events. He will also continue to direct the GMA Industry Affairs and Collaboration function on an interim basis, as he has done since July 2012.

McBride joined GMA in 2006. He has served in leadership positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform and the American Beverage Association. He also served as regional political director of the Republican National Committee and on the campaign staffs of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Kay Bailey Hutchison.