CEO Departures

Dykes to depart dairy association

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the $12M-revenue International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), will retire on Dec. 31, after a decade of leadership. IDFA’s executive council officer group will support the selection process for his successor. 

Most recently, under Dykes’ leadership, the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognized dairy foods as part of healthy dietary patterns. Dykes has also served as a cleared advisor to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. 

“Under his leadership, IDFA has built one of the strongest advocacy teams in Washington, strengthened its financial position, expanded industry engagement across the supply chain and helped deliver extraordinary momentum for dairy both domestically and globally,” said Daragh Maccabee, chair of the IDFA Executive Council.   

CEO Arrivals

Lobbyist Riley to lead concrete association

The $20M-revenue National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has named Jim Riley president and CEO effective June 15. He was previously president of the Railway Supply Institute.

Riley is a seasoned lobbyist with two tours totaling 16-plus years in National Stone, Sand & Gravel (NSSGA) Association Government Affairs posts. Beyond NSSGA, he has held leadership roles at the National Waste & Recycling Association in Arlington, Va. and Railway Supply Institute in Washington, D.C., and earned Top Lobbyist recognition from The Hill. 

 “The board is confident he will build on the association’s momentum, execute strategic priorities, strengthen member value, and help position the ready mixed concrete industry for long-term growth and success,” said 2026 chair Scott Brewer.

Staff Departures

Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) — Kim Zimmerman is leaving her position as head of government affairs at the $55M-revenue medtech trade group AdvaMed. She previously spent time on Capitol Hill, working for former Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Zimmerman is joining Emergent Strategies as a senior partner and strategic adviser.

Consumer Technology Association — Jennifer Drogus is leaving her role as vice president of communications $154M-revenue Consumer Technology Association. She is joining public affairs firm Invariant as vice president of communications in innovation and technology.

PhRMA — Lori Reilly, chief operating officer of $521M-revenue PhRMA, will join drugmaker AbbVie as senior vice president of government affairs in September. Reilly has worked for PhRMA, the association representing biopharmaceutical manufacturers, for more than 20 years, and earlier was executive vice president of policy, research and membership.

Staff Arrivals 

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) — Jennifer Reeves has joined the $151M-revenue organization as vice president, legal AI governance and integration lead. Most recently, she served as lead innovation counsel at law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. 

Semiconductor Industry Association — Ari Sulby has joined the $16M-revenue Semiconductor Industry Association as director of global policy. Sulby previously worked for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

International Bottled Water Association — Ellery Notte will be vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the $6M-revenue International Bottled Water Association. Notte was previously vice president of food safety, quality, regulatory and innovation at Golding Farm Foods.

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) — Anna Russell has joined the $78M-revenue AHIP as vice president of federal affairs. She was most recently the director of strategic initiatives at the Department of Labor.