CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists has selected Christie A. Tarantino as the new executive vice-president of the association, effective April 21. Ms. Tarantino, the current president and chief executive officer of the Association Forum of Chicagoland, will lead I.F.T. efforts to advance the science of food to ensure a safe and abundant food supply.
In her new role, she will oversee an array of I.F.T. programs that serve 18,000 members and the food science and technology professions. This will include: the I.F.T. Annual Meeting and Food Expo, knowledge and learning programs, marketing communications campaigns, membership, partnerships, publications, science and policy initiatives, Feeding Tomorrow: the Foundation of I.F.T., and a variety of other programs.
Ms. Tarantino brings more than 17 years of association management experience to the I.F.T., including leadership positions at two major membership associations. In her current position leading the Association Forum of Chicagoland, she launched a variety of programs designed to increase membership impacting more than 1,600 associations throughout the Chicago area.
Prior to her role at Association Forum, she was the executive director of the Academy of General Dentistry, which has 35,000 members and 62 chapters. She also gained experience in convention management as the associate vice-president of member relations at the Professional Convention Management Association, and as membership services director with the Alabama State Bar Association.
“Christie Tarantino brings impressive credentials in association management and strategy to I.F.T., and her experience will be critical in advancing programs for our members and the food science and technology professions,” said Janet E. Collins, president of the I.F.T. “She joins I.F.T. at a very exciting time as we approach our 75th anniversary in June, and we know that with her excellent qualifications she will ensure the ongoing success of our organization for years to come.”
