The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has named Paul Ziemnisky as its new president and CEO, selecting a longtime CPG and food industry executive to lead the association as it expands its role across the dairy, deli, bakery and retail foodservice sectors.
Ziemnisky will join IDDBA on Sept. 8, succeeding Bill Haaf, who left the organization earlier this year to join FMI – The Food Industry Association as vice president of fresh foods. Ziemnisky becomes the fourth president and CEO in IDDBA’s history.
He joins IDDBA after five years as group executive vice president of wellness, innovation and business development at Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). Ziemnisky spent 11 years with DMI, where he held leadership positions involving health and wellness, insights, innovation and global innovation partnerships.
Ziemnisky brings more than 30 years of experience as a business executive and brand marketing leader. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at Kraft Foods, where he worked on innovation and brand development involving Kraft Natural Cheese, Velveeta, Tombstone and DiGiorno. He also served as vice president and general manager of consumer packaged goods at Oil-Dri Corporation of America.
At IDDBA, Ziemnisky will be responsible for guiding the association’s strategic direction, increasing member value, driving innovation and expanding its reach across the fresh-food industry. He also will oversee planning for IDDBA’s 2027 annual event, which is scheduled to take place in Atlanta.
The leadership change comes as IDDBA enters a period of growth. The association said it recently experienced a record-breaking annual show in Orlando, Fla., along with continued membership growth. IDDBA represents more than 1,500 member companies across the dairy, deli, bakery and retail foodservice industries.
Jody Barrick, founder and managing partner of Perimeter Partners and chair of the IDDBA Board of Directors, said the organization conducted a nationwide search before selecting Ziemnisky.
The board cited his combination of CPG brand-building experience and industry knowledge as factors in the decision. Barrick said Ziemnisky’s experience in innovation and growth will be important as the association works to support its members in a changing marketplace.
Ziemnisky said he plans to work with the association’s board, staff and member companies to build on IDDBA’s recent momentum and expand the value it provides through education, insights and industry connections.
His appointment places an executive with experience spanning CPG manufacturing, retail, foodservice, dairy and innovation at the helm of an association whose membership and flagship event connect companies across several of the grocery industry’s largest fresh-food categories.