AFIA announces director of Regulatory Affairs transition

ARLINGTON, VA. — Meghan Dicks will transition from her current role as director of Membership and Engagement for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) to director of Regulatory Affairs, effective Sept. 1, following the retirement of Louise Calderwood.

The AFIA, which made the announcement on July 3, said Dicks will bring her strong background in regulatory affairs and association operations to the AFIA’s policy team in her new role, providing strategic leadership on regulatory, legislative and scientific issues affecting the animal food industry, with primary responsibility for animal food safety, pet food, equine and scientific regulatory affairs.

“We are excited for both Meghan and Louise,” said Constance Cullman, president and chief executive officer of the AFIA. “Since joining in 2024, Meghan has played a vital role in strengthening member engagement and delivering value to AFIA members. We are eager to welcome her to the policy team and know her experience and leadership will help advance AFIA’s regulatory initiatives. We also thank Louise for her years of dedicated service and contributions to the association and the industry. We wish Louise a wonderful retirement filled with new adventures and every happiness, and we look forward to following wherever her next chapter takes her.”

Since joining the AFIA in 2018, Calderwood has provided leadership on regulatory, pet food, equine and state policy issues, while serving as staff liaison to the Pet Food Committee, the Quality and Animal Food Safety Committee and the Equine Committee, the association said. Calderwood also has been a key voice for the industry with the Association of American Feed Control Officials, helping advance science-based policies and regulatory solutions that support animal food manufacturers.

Since joining the AFIA in September 2024 as director of membership and engagement, Dicks has led the association’s membership program, advancing member recruitment, engagement, retention and value. The AFIA said she has been instrumental in leading improvements to its core membership processes, “keeping members at the center of the association’s programs, services and communications while strengthening the association’s long-term success.”

Prior to joining the AFIA, Dicks was the regulatory and scientific affairs manager at ADM Animal and Pet Nutrition, North America, where she provided regulatory and animal food safety guidance for the company’s animal food and pet product portfolio.

As part of this transition, the AFIA is recruiting for a new director of membership and engagement. Interested individuals should submit inquiries and application materials to careers@afia.org by July 10.

Learn more about this role and other open positions.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.