Food Distributors International (FDI) today announced that David French, who has
served the association as director of government relations since August 1998,
has been named to lead the association’s government affairs efforts.
French was appointed Vice President, Government Relations following an extensive
review process to succeed Kevin Burke, who resigned the position last month
to become president and chief executive officer of the American Apparel and
Footwear Association.
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“I am delighted that after interviewing several outstanding candidates we were
able to conclude that our own David French would be the best person to help
lead FDI’s governmental affairs services that are so important to our members,”
said FDI President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Block. “He has been a
big part of the successes we have experienced recently, particularly with killing
the death tax, and as we face new and ongoing challenges, I know he’ll do an
outstanding job.”
John Gray, president of the International Foodservice Distributors Association
(IFDA), the foodservice component of FDI, said he is confident that key IFDA
concerns will be given high priority by French as he leads the association’s
overall governmental affairs activities.
“David is a young man who is very bright and he’s got the perfect blend of
Capitol Hill and FDI experience to effectively serve all of our members in Washington,”
Gray said. “He understands the needs of foodservice distributors and has already
hit the ground running.”
French, 34, as director of government relations, was responsible for assisting
Burke on such issues as labor/human resources, health care, taxes, agriculture
and trade policy. He helped to build legislative coalitions, coordinate media,
work with federal regulatory agencies, and was involved in grassroots organizing.
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“David played a very key role in helping us in our leadership efforts to kill
off the estate tax,” Block said. “He understands the concerns of our members
in terms of how devastating unnecessary regulations and burdensome taxes can
be.”
“My overall objective is to maintain a very high political profile for FDI
and to enhance the value of government relations’ services to all of our members,”
French said. “With the new Democratic leadership in the Senate, there will be
a new agenda and new challenges. We’re going to have our hands full.”
Before joining FDI, French served as legislative assistant to Sen. Rick Santorum
(R-PA), and before that held a similar position when Santorum was a Congressman.
He joined Santorum’s office in 1993 after serving as legislative assistant to
Rep. Matt Rinaldo (R-NJ).
French holds a BA from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT and lives in Alexandria,
VA.
