Leadership & Staff
ASTA Board of Directors
The ASTA Board of Directors is pivotal in steering the organization's strategic direction, governance, and financial oversight, ensuring alignment with its mission and vision. The Board is comprised of volunteer leaders in management, sales, procurement, technical, and other vital functions at ASTA’s Active Member companies, representing a diverse array of U.S. and global spice producers, growers, importers, and processors. The Board is elected annually and sets the organization’s strategic vision, which is implemented by the full-time professional staff in Washington, D.C. under the leadership of the Executive Director. They also focus on member engagement, risk management, and planning for future challenges and opportunities in the spice industry, thereby safeguarding the association’s sustainability and effectiveness.

Kerri Goad-Berrios
President
Kalustyan

Donald Pratt
VP/Secretary
McCormick and Company

Bob Cloney
Treasurer
Elite Spice

Peter Sayia
Immediate-Past President
A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.

Brad Gampper
Director
Riega Foods

Dan Hemming
Director
Sensient Natural Ingredients

Jill Hoffman
Director
B&G Foods

Nikhil Joseph
Director
Nedspice

Nadia Niemann
Director
Solina USA

Lisa Patel
Director
Kalsec

Seif Shazly
Director
Giza Seeds & Herbs

Chad Becnel
Associate Group Director
Merieux NutriSciences

Laura Shumow
Ex-Officio
ASTA
Arbitration Board
Elected annually by our members, ASTA's Arbitration Board serves as a vital mechanism for efficiently and fairly resolving disputes within the spice industry. Composed of experienced professionals, the Arbitration Board adjudicates disagreements related to contracts, quality, deliveries, and other trade issues.
Peter Sayia
Arbitration Board Chair (Serving the first year of a two-year term)
A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.
Max Elton
Arbitration Board Member (Serving the first year a two-year term)
John H. Elton, Inc.
Gina Riekhof
Arbitration Board Member (Serving the second year of a two-year term)
Riega Foods
ASTA’s Arbitration Board Alternates (Serving one year term)
Neil Dickens
Alternate
McCormick & Company
Troy Dryden
Alternate
Chesapeake Spice Company
Colin Keating
Alternate
Wixon
Nate Offenberg
Alternate
Pacific Farms
ASTA Staff
Our dedicated ASTA Staff works tirelessly to support the membership and the broader spice industry. Each staff member brings unique expertise and commitment to our organization, playing a crucial role in implementing ASTA’s mission and vision. Their collaborative efforts ensure the smooth operation and success of our programs and initiatives.

Laura Shumow
Executive Director
American Spice Trade Association

D. Margarita Passero
Director of Association Services
American Spice Trade Association

Meegan Kavanaugh
Senior Association Coordinator
ASTA
Shannen Kelly
Senior Manager of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs
ASTA

Elle Brumley
Director of Meetings

Tracy Hankins
Sr. Accountant

Meredith Huddle
Director of Communications

Sue Knudsen
ASTA Finance Team
CFO at Verto Solutions, LLC.

Maile Gradison
ASTA General Counsel
Partner at Hogan Lovells
ASTA Committee Chairs
ASTA Committees and Task Forces are the backbone of our association, driving our initiatives and programs forward. These groups, comprised of passionate and knowledgeable volunteers from member companies, work collaboratively to address various industry challenges and opportunities. From advocacy and quality assurance to education and membership engagement, each group plays a pivotal role in advancing ASTA’s objectives and supporting the spice industry at large.

Leonard Fong
Analytical Methods Subcommittee Chair
ofi (Olam Food Ingredients)

Greg Hanks
Crop Report Task Force Chair
Advanced Spice & Trading

David Howe
ETO Task Force Chair
Cosmed Group

Dan Kastor
Science and Regulatory Committee Chair
McCormick and Company, Inc.

Colin Keating
Membership Outreach Committee Chair
Wixon

Erik Knedgen
Document Review Subcommittee Chair
Kalsec

Errol Karakash
Spice Integrity Council Chair
Kalustyan

David Lessans
Scholarship Task Force Chair
Chesapeake Spice Company

Doug Marshall
Microbiology Subcommittee Chair
Eurofins

Tamas Sarkadi
Sustainability Committee Chair
Sabater

Sarah Sayers
Organic Committee Chair
Riega Foods

Suvan Sharma
Annual Meeting Program Planning Task Force Chair
Jain Farm Fresh

Justin Silvia
Supply Chain Task Force Chair
Fuchs Gruppe

Walid el Singaby
Contaminants Subcommittee Chair
McCormick and Company