WASHINGTON – The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) announced plans that reorganize its corporate structure and add new staff, including the consolidation of its public affairs and legislative affairs departments. The new public and legislative affairs department will be led by Pete Thomson, senior vice president who previously was the senior vice president of legislative affairs. As part of the restructuring, NAMI also announced the hiring of Sarah Little as vice president of communications; the appointment of Eric Mittenthal to vice president of sustainability in the new department from his previous role as vice president of public affairs; and the promotion of Nathan Fretz from senior director of legislative affairs to vice president of legislative affairs.

Little, with 20 years of experience working in political communications, including serving as communications director with US Sen. Pat Roberts, will lead the institute’s strategic management efforts as well as its advocacy, member and crisis communications.

NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said Little is well equipped to fill the important role.

“Sarah’s experience is a great fit with the expertise on our current staff to tell the important story of our industry and the many ways meat and poultry nourishes the world,” she said.

NAMI also announced the successor for Ron Nunnery, its chief financial officer who will retire at the end of the year. Senior Vice President of International Affairs William Westman will also assume oversight of NAMI’s administration department after Nunnery’s retirement.