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, Member Services
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 Madison University. 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.

Alex Silva
Member Services Coordinator
Alex was brought on as Member Services Coordinator at FPSA in June 2010 after completing a B.S. in Marketing from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.  His background in marketing, government contracting, and customer service make him a strong, diverse asset to the Membership Department.

Grace Cular Yee
Director of Sales
Grace is Director of Sales and oversees exhibitor sales, relations and sponsorships for PROCESS EXPO. Grace has over 10 years of full life-cycle events management experience across diverse industries such as trade associations, media groups, non-profits, luxury consumer products, high-technology products and services. Grace has worked on more than 200 events and has managed exhibit sales and sponsorships for tradeshows with over 100,000 square feet (American Trucking Associations), designed large-scale events with attendance of over 10,000 people (Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital), and has produced corporate events in the U.S. and Canada (Aether Systems). She is also a member of IAEE. Grace holds a B.A. from George Mason University and a Graduate Certificate in Events Management from The George Washington University.