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.

Peter Sayia

President

A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.

Kerri Goad-Berrios

Vice President/Secretary

Kalustyan

Brijesh Krishnaswamy

Treasurer

olam food ingredients

Suvan Sharma

Immediate Past President

Jain Farm Fresh

Bob Cloney

Director

Elite Spice

Dan Hemming

Director

Sensient Natural Ingredients

Jill Hoffman

Director

B&G Foods

Nikhil Joseph

Director

Nedspice

John Minardi

Director

Accurate Ingredients

Lisa Patel

Director

Kalsec

Donald Pratt

Director

McCormick Global Ingredients

Manoj Ruparelia

Director

Mincing Spice

Sebnem Karasu

Associate Group Director

Karasu Consulting

Laura Shumow

Ex-Officio

ASTA

Interested in joining our Board? Please review our Eligibility Requirements to learn more.

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.

Tom Overby

Arbitration Board Chair

Nedspice

Gina Riekhof

Arbitration Board Member

Riega Foods

Peter Sayia

Arbitration Board Member

A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc.

ASTA’s Arbitration Board Alternates (Serving one year term)

Neil Dickens

Alternate

McCormick & Company

Zev Golombeck

Alternate

Schiff Foods

Greg Hanks

Alternate

Advanced Spice & Trading

Greg Lightfoot

Alternate

Kalustyan

For detailed procedures and to initiate a case, please visit our Arbitration Program page.

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

ASTA

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

Do you have questions about ASTA or the U.S. spice industry? Please contact us.

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.