Staff Biographies

David Seckman
President & CEO
David recently joined the association as the new President and CEO. David Seckman comes to FPSA from the Natural Products Association (NPA) where he was the CEO for the past nine years. David also served as the President of NPA China and as the President of the Natural Products Foundation. Prior to NPA, David was with the interim CEO and Senior Vice-President of the American Health Care Association in Washington. He has vast experience in tradeshow development and management as well as international outreach. He has a B.A. from George Washington University and an M.A. from the University of Illinois.

George Melnykovich
Senior Advisor
Dr. George Melnykovich, “Dr. Mel”, was President and CEO of FPSA and one of its predecessor associations FPM&SA since 1986. Prior to joining FPSA, Dr. Mel was Senior Vice-President of the National Grocers Association. He began his career in higher education having been a professor of Latin American Literature and Civilization at Hiram College and a Dean of Continuing Education at Kent State University. He has authored numerous academic articles and a book. He led one of the first food industry delegations of processors and suppliers to the Soviet Union in 1989 and administered two U.S. Department of Commerce grants for market development in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He is a regular speaker at the annual convention of the Mexican Food Processors Association (Canainca). Most recently he negotiated FPSA’s new relationship with the Institute of Food Technologists.

Robyn Roche
CFO
Robyn applies her nearly 20 years of finance, administration and human resources experience to her role as the association’s CFO. She is responsible for overseeing the financial and business activities of the association, and serves as the asset manager for the Foundation’s building and its operation. Robyn has served the association since 1998. She received a BBA from Strayer University and is currently working toward an MBA. Robyn also earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE and the Professional Human Resources (PHR) designation from SHRM.

Andy Drennan
VP, Business Development
Andy works as head of Member Services, Show Operations and the FPSA Annual Conference. With over 10 years in the association, Andy has been involved in every aspect of member activities including international programs, business development and the dairy and beverage councils. Prior to joining the association, Andy worked in Latin America in a sales position at Union Carbide’s polyethylene film division. Prior to this, he worked in small business development as the head of the country’s first Economic Development Office in Chile, while serving in the Peace Corps. Andy holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a B.A. in International Business from the University of Scranton.

Randy Taussig
VP, Marketing & Sales
Randy joined FPSA in March, 2008 overseeing all phases of trade show sales & marketing as well as promotion of the association’s industry councils. Randy began his career in the food industry as a financial analyst at Ingredient Technology Corporation, but quickly transitioned into the sales & marketing where he enjoyed direct interaction with customers and the opportunity to build a buzz and excitement around ITC’s products and services. He has continued this path, concentrating his career in various industries including food, pharmaceutical, packaging and aviation and currently enjoys supporting FPSA members achieve their business development goals. Randy holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Rider University. 

Matilda Harvey
Manager, Finance & Administration
Matilda’s post-graduate career began in the public sector, where she gained six years of experience in social services and school administration. Eight years of financial accounting and payroll management for small businesses followed. She then worked for the corporate giant ENRON, endured the collapse, and landed on her feet at IAFIS. She has been with IAFIS / FPSA for more than five years. From ensuring the details of the office run smoothly, to processing/reconciling all accounts payable and receivable, to serving as our Board liaison for both FPSA and the Foundation, she keeps very busy. Our only Hokie on staff, Matilda earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech.

Kyle M. Heiman
Marketing Communications Coordinator
Kyle launched his career with FPSA in July of 2009 after receiving his B.S. in Integrated Science & Technology from James MadisonUniversity. His concentrations in Biotechnology and Information & Knowledge Management have given him a strong set of skills across a variety of scientific and technological disciplines. Along with working several years in customer service, he has experience in financial sales. Kyle juggled working as a licensed financial representative in 2008 with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network while finishing his senior year of college. His experiences have allowed him to make a meaningful and productive contribution at FPSA.

Becky Herman
Manager, Membership & Council Operations
Rebecca (Becky) started her career with FPMA in August, 2005 as a Member Services Coordinator and has taken on multiple roles since the merger of FPMA with IAFIS (now FPSA) in January, 2006. Becky worked in show operations for almost two years before finding her home in the membership department as the Manager of Member & Council Services. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in Psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

David Folwell
Manager of Sales
David joined FPSA in July 2005 to help build exhibitor relationships and lead the PROCESS EXPO sales and sponsorship initiatives. His 4 years of experience with trade show sales and online marketing deliver value to FPSA members by increasing attendance to PROCESS EXPO.  His previous experience ranges from interning in a sales and marketing role with General Electric to starting an online book buyback business. David holds a B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Iowa and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Maryland, Smith School of Business.

Donovan L. Woods
Manager, Marketing & Trade Show Operations
Donovan began his career with FPSA in the Fall of 2008 managing the operations and marketing forPROCESS EXPO. Over the past eight years his career in trade show logistics and meeting planning has led him to managing several Top 200 trade shows, in addition to extensive meeting planning for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He is currently working towards obtaining the Certified in Exhibit Management (CEM) designation.