The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington), a legislative watchdog group for the U.S. pet trade, in June launched a search for its next leader. The new position of president, part of a structural reorganization, is a key component of a four-year growth plan to ensure the council’s independence and continuity.

Under the new structure, the president of the board of directors, Elwyn Segrest of Segrest Farms (Gibsonton, Fla.), will become chairman of the board. Marshall Meyers, executive vice president and general council, will become chief executive officer and general counsel.

“PIJAC has been protecting our industry for almost 40 years, and the board is thrilled to implement a plan to carry PIJAC forward for another 40 years,” Segrest said. “And the first, critical step is to put a person in place to lead the charge into PIJAC’s next era while respecting PIJAC’s rich history.”

The president, who will report directly to the council’s board of directors, will help develop long-term strategic plans and update directors about council operations as well as member and industry issues. In addition, the president will be responsible for marketing and branding, membership, education/credentialing, communications, administration and the relocation of PIJAC’s headquarters to new offices in Washington. Ultimately, the president also will assume responsibility for PIJAC’s advocacy and regulatory affairs activities.

JDG Associates Ltd. (Rockville, Md.) is conducting the search in cooperation with an executive committee consisting of PIJAC directors: Segrest; Frank Koch of Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. (Pacoima, Calif.); Ruth Jeffers of JeffersPet (Dothan, Ala.), representing the World Wide Pet Industry Association (Monrovia, Calif.); and Jeff Sutherland of Central Pet (Mahwah, N.J.). Other members of the search committee are Joel Adamson of Sergeant’s Pet Care Products Inc. (Omaha, Neb.), representing the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.); Roger Lambert of Lambriar Inc. (Mahaska, Kan.); Jim Heim of Central Garden & Pet Co. (Walnut Creek, Calif.); and Bill Brant of The Gourmet Rodent Inc. (Archer, Fla.).

For details, visit www.pijac.org or www.jdgsearch.com. [August 2008 PET AGE]