Pet Food Institute to Appoint New Board Chair
The Pet Food Institute will inaugurate a new board leadership team to serve throughout the 2027-28 term.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
The Pet Food Institute will appoint Reed Howlett, CEO of The Wellness Pet Company, as its new board chair. This transition marks the start of a new leadership tenure for the 2027-28 term.
Why it matters
The new leadership team is tasked with guiding the organization's strategic direction and fostering industry-wide collaboration. These officials will work closely with board members to address priorities impacting the pet food sector.
The new board structure includes six core positions appointed for the 2027-28 term. This leadership slate will manage the organization's operational priorities.
The players
Reed Howlett
He is the CEO of The Wellness Pet Company and will lead the Pet Food Institute board.
Liz Mascolo
She serves as the newly appointed vice chair of the Pet Food Institute board.
Yvonne Hsu
She takes on the role of treasurer for the Pet Food Institute board.
Nicki Baty
She will serve as the secretary for the Pet Food Institute board.
Scott Salmon
He will continue his involvement with the board as the immediate past chair.
The details
Reed Howlett, who currently leads The Wellness Pet Company, will chair the board alongside vice chair Liz Mascolo, treasurer Yvonne Hsu, and secretary Nicki Baty. Scott Salmon will conclude his role as chair but remain involved as the immediate past chair.
Timeline
The new board officers are set to serve during the 2027-28 term.
Market Landscape
This transition follows the structural governance cycles defined by the Pet Food Institute's organizational bylaws for board rotation. The appointments maintain continuity while signaling a shift in institutional leadership priorities for the coming term.
These board appointments do not result in immediate changes to retail pricing or product availability for the average consumer. However, the new leadership's focus on industry collaboration may influence long-term production standards and pet food safety initiatives.
The takeaway
Effective industry leadership relies on structured governance to manage collaborative efforts across competitive firms. Professionals in the sector should monitor future board initiatives to understand potential shifts in regulatory and safety advocacy.
Further reading
For more information on organizational shifts, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.
