WASHINGTON, D.C.—Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today named Maia M. Jack, Ph.D., as vice president of science and regulatory affairs for the association.  

“Maia’s strong background and strategic expertise in technical, regulatory and scientific issues will be enormous assets to the association and to our industry,” Neely said.  “We look forward to Maia serving on our senior leadership team and to having her guide our efforts on critical nutrition, food safety and regulatory issues.”

In her role as vice president for science and regulatory affairs, Jack will be responsible for representing the industry by advocating for sound science and regulatory policy in the scientific and technological aspects of federal, state and local regulatory proceedings and in interactions with scientific organizations.  The non-alcoholic beverage industry has a direct economic impact of $141.22 billion, provides more than 233,000 jobs and helps to support hundreds of thousands more that depend, in part, on beverage sales for their livelihoods.

“It is a privilege and an honor to serve this iconic and innovative industry and to join such a stellar team at ABA,” said Jack.  “Building on the beverage industry’s impressive accomplishments and leadership, I look forward to advocating for practical, meaningful and science-based policies and initiatives on its behalf.”

Jack joins the association following her position as director of regulatory and international affairs at the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), where she was responsible for navigating the intersection of science and policy and the promotion of global harmonization of standards to ensure trade equity for frozen foods.  She held previous positions at Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Human Genome Sciences, Inc. and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Jack also received numerous prestigious appointments in her field.  Earlier this year, she was selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to serve as a member of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Processed Foods.  Additionally, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and USTR selected Jack to serve as a member of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Standards and Technical Trade Barriers (ITAC 16).  As a member of the ATAC for Trade in Processed Foods and ITAC 16, Jack provided recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative on U.S. trade policy matters important to frozen food makers and distributors.

Jack earned her doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Canada’s Carleton University.  Jack lives in Alexandria, Va., with her husband and three children.

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.

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