MCLEAN, VA. — During its recent Executive Exchange & Conference in Indian Wells, Calif., the Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA), formerly the Food Processing Suppliers Association, announced it hired Matthew R. Ott as its new president and chief executive officer.

David Seckman previously served as president and CEO and will now transition to the Food Industry Technician (FIT) program, serving as its executive director.

The announcement was made to association members and conference attendees by Brian Perkins, FPSA chair and president of Provisur Technologies Inc. 

“The boards of both FPSA and the FPSA Foundation proudly welcome Matt to lead the Food Production Solutions Association,” Perkins said. “As we rebrand and refocus our organization, Matt is the right leader at the right time. His vast association experience within the food and logistics industries will provide us with great insights on how we can continue to improve our service offerings to companies across the world.”

Ott called the transition in leadership structure a “tremendous opportunity” for both FPSA and FIT, which he described as one of the association’s “most popular and critical” programs.

“With this transition, David will now focus strictly on growing the FIT program beyond its current campus and offerings to better satisfy the urgent demand for qualified service technicians both among food manufacturers and OEMs,” Ott said.

Ott joins FPSA following leadership roles at the Global Cold Chain Alliance, the National Grocers Association and a variety of other organizations.

“It is a true honor to be chosen to lead such a venerable association with a long history of serving its members in the vital food production industry,” Ott said. “Starting my tenure in conjunction with the launch of the new name and brand is truly exciting. I look forward to working with the staff and members on developing a new member value proposition and strategic plan that resonates with all companies engaged in food production, as well as the customers that they serve.”