Thursday, October 18, 2018

Maple Leaf hires public relations expert

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has hired Janet Riley who is the public affairs director for the North American Meat Institute.

The institute said she will remain there for the rest of this year, handling not only public affairs, but also membership, education, the production center and the IT department.

One of her roles has been responding to the hot-button animal welfare issues, such as sow gestation crates and the on-farm use of antibiotics.

NAMI chief executive and president Julie Anna Potts called Riley’s tenure with NAMI “stellar”.

She said Riley consistently made herself available to have conversations with meat industry critics, provided strategic counsel to NAMI members when needed and served as "Queen of Wien" of the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, which she founded in 1994.

“I am certain we will continue to draw on Janet’s expertise on issues ranging from animal welfare to sustainability to crisis management,” Potts said, noting that Maple Leaf Foods is a member of the institute.