WASHINGTON — Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Faga, president of the North American Millers’ Association, has informed the group’s board of directors that she plans to retire from her post in the spring/summer of 2010. Ms. Faga has been president of the group since its inception in April 1998.

NAMA chairman John C. Miller said a succession committee has been created, and a timetable for filling Ms. Faga’s position has been established.

"We are soliciting expressions of interest, and anyone with an interest should feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail," Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Miller expressed gratitude to Ms. Faga for giving NAMA "enough lead time to conduct this process in a methodical fashion."

"We know we are going to have a difficult time filling Betsy’s shoes," Mr. Miller said. "We always felt that under Betsy we get more representationin Washington than a group our size could expect.

"That said, I think Betsy is leaving the organization in a very good position internally and externally. We certainly have challenges, but I think Betsy shares the view that her successor will come in at a time with both the industry and the organization enjoying many positive trends."

40 years in milling industry

When she retires next year, Ms. Faga will be marking her 40th anniversary working for the milling industry. Ms. Faga joined the staff of the Millers’ National Federation as an administrative assistant in 1970 soon after moving to Washington. Two years later she joined Bulgur Associates when that program was spun-off from the M.N.F. into an independent association. The group was later renamed Protein Grain Products International.

At P.G.P.I. Ms. Faga was promoted after a few years to the position of vice-president. The group expanded in 1980 when it assumed management responsibility for the American Corn Millers Federation. In 1986, Ms. Faga succeeded Robert Fondahn as president of both groups when he left to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an agricultural trade officer.

Ms. Faga held the position of president of both P.G.P.I. and the American Corn Millers Association until NAMA was created by the merger of these two groups with the Millers’ National Federation. A year later the American Oat Association merged into NAMA.

NAMA as unifying strong force

"This is a wonderful industry and a great group of people, and leading NAMA truly has been a privilege," Ms. Faga said. "When you add in the many challenging issues that we faced, this has been a gratifying experience and an interesting career. So much has changed in the milling industry since I first walked in the door in 1970, but I believe the industry under the NAMA umbrella has come together more powerfully than ever before."

Parties interested in the position may contact Mr. Miller at [email protected] or by phone at (952) 826-6331.

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