The International Dairy Foods Assn., Washington-Kristin Pearson Wilcox joins the IDFA staff as senior director of legislative affairs. In her new post, Wilcox will manage and strengthen IDFA's relationships on Capitol Hill and help develop association positions on federal legislation affecting dairy. She has extensive experience in this field, having led her own political consulting operation, Pearson Consulting, and having served as the director of federal legislative affairs for the National Food Processors Association (NFPA). In addition, IDFA has promoted three staff members to senior directors in its educational services and marketing groups: Ellen Brophy, Julie Buric and Corinne McGarrity. Brophy, who joined IDFA in 1995, has been promoted to senior director of educational services and business development. Buric joined IDFA in 1999, and has been promoted to senior director of marketing. McGarrity, who joined in 2000 has been promoted to senior director of marketing.
Friendly Ice Cream Corp., Wilbraham, Mass.-Lawrence Rusinko, joins as senior v.p., marketing. Rusinko will be responsible for restaurant marketing, research & development and public affairs. He comes to Friendly's from Panera Bread Company, a leader in the emerging quick casual category.