The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) hired former FMI - The Food Industry Association Senior Manager of Communications Melaina Lewis as its new communications director.
NFI, based in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., is the largest U.S. seafood trade group. NFI President John Connelly praised Lewis’ work during her five years at FMI, where she developed and implemented communications strategies for the company’s digital platforms, supported media relations activities, led video production efforts, and managed public policy communications. Lewis also previously served as an NFI intern.
“We are excited to have Melaina on our team,” Connelly said. “She is an advocate at heart with a pedigree in the food world and a track record of communications success. She will be an asset to our members and to us.”
Lewis replaces Lynsee Fowler, who started at NFI in 2012 as a communications coordinator, then was promoted in 2014 to communications manager and in 2019 to director of communications and multimedia. Fowler is now manager of corporate marketing and communications at Reston, Virginia-based professional services firm Golden Key Group.
“Fisheries have a fascinating story to tell,” Lewis said in a press release. “Seafood is the last sector on the planet with a wild-caught component, which pairs with the excitement of the growing aquaculture sector. The men and women of NFI’s membership throughout the value chain represent everything from family-owned businesses to biotech companies. I look forward to working with NFI’s members and sharing their compelling stories of how they bring seafood – inarguably the healthiest animal protein – to American households.
NFI Chairman Derek Figueroa said given her professional background, Lewis is a good fit for the seafood trade organization.
“NFI has so many core competencies, everything from technical work to lobbying. But getting the message out about what is important to our members is vital and that’s where communications comes in,” Figueroa said. “We’re thrilled to welcome Melaina and her strategic, food-advocacy background to the team.”
Photo courtesy of National Fisheries Institute
