The New Jersey Food Council has named Coca-Cola government affairs executive Jim McGreevy as its next president and CEO, succeeding longtime leader Linda Doherty when she retires in January 2027.
McGreevy was selected following a national search launched after Doherty announced her retirement earlier this year. Doherty has spent 33 years with NJFC, including 23 years as president and CEO.
McGreevy currently serves as vice president of government affairs for The Coca-Cola Company, where he leads the beverage company’s federal advocacy efforts in Washington. He previously spent eight years as president and CEO of the Beer Institute, the national trade association representing brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers.
“Following an extensive national search, the Board is extremely pleased to welcome Jim McGreevy as the next President & CEO of the New Jersey Food Council,” said NJFC Chair Jason Read, director of store operations at Wawa. “We were looking for a proven leader who understands our industry, knows how to build coalitions and has the advocacy experience to ensure the voice of New Jersey’s food industry remains strong and effective.”
Earlier in his career, McGreevy held senior government affairs positions with the American Beverage Association and worked on state-level public policy issues across more than 35 states.
His experience includes leading trade associations, developing industry coalitions and directing government affairs strategies at both the state and federal levels. At the Beer Institute, McGreevy oversaw the association’s advocacy and strategic direction and helped lead efforts that resulted in a permanent reduction in the federal excise tax on brewers.
NJFC Search Committee Chair Jim McCaffrey of McCaffrey’s Food Markets said finding a successor to Doherty required a comprehensive search because of her long tenure and the organization’s standing within New Jersey’s food industry.
“Jim understands that he is inheriting an organization with a strong reputation, an engaged membership and an important mission,” McCaffrey said. “We are confident he will build upon that foundation while bringing his own ideas, energy and experience to NJFC.”
McGreevy is a Neptune resident and graduate of Seton Hall University. He also holds a law degree from the University of Bridgeport School of Law.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the New Jersey Food Council and to follow Linda Doherty, whose leadership has made NJFC one of the most respected trade associations,” McGreevy said. “Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the importance of strong, credible advocacy and the power of bringing an industry together around common goals.”
Doherty announced her planned retirement in February, giving the organization nearly a year to conduct its search and manage the leadership transition. She will work with McGreevy during the transition ahead of her January departure.
“Jim’s selection begins an exciting new chapter for the New Jersey Food Council,” Doherty said. “I look forward to working with him during the transition and helping ensure that NJFC continues to serve its members with the same energy, credibility and effectiveness that have defined this organization for more than half a century.”
NJFC represents nearly 400 companies encompassing approximately 1,200 retail food stores, along with wholesalers, manufacturers and service companies. The organization represents the food retail and distribution industry before New Jersey state government and works on public policy and industry issues affecting its members.
McGreevy will take over at a consequential time for New Jersey’s grocery industry, with retailers confronting persistent operating-cost pressures, workforce issues and an active state regulatory and legislative environment. His selection gives NJFC a successor whose career has been centered on the kind of government affairs and coalition-building work that is likely to remain central to the organization’s agenda after Doherty’s departure.
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