Phil Kafarakis

President & CEO, International Foodservice Manufacturers Association

Phil Kafarakis is a global food industry executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, as well as managing non-profit food industry associations. Currently, Phil serves as President & CEO of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), a U.S. trade group representing food, beverage, packaging, and equipment manufacturing companies within the $1.3 Tillion Food-Away-From-Home industry.

Prior to his IFMA appointment, Phil served as President of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) representing more than 4,000 small and emerging food entrepreneurs in the $160 Billion U.S. Specialty Food Industry and previously, as Chief Innovation & Member Advancement Officer at the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the leading business association for the $900 Billion restaurant industry. Preceding his executive leadership with the non-profits, Phil successfully led and managed foodservice and retail businesses at McCormick & Co., Cargill, Jones Dairy Farm, and Kraft.

Mr. Kafarakis was born in Athens, Greece and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child. He is a graduate of Northern Arizona University (BS Business) and Georgetown University (Exec. MBA), a Forbes contributor, and frequently quoted and sought after food industry speaker who also volunteers on several industry Boards.