SEATTLE, WA - It is a day for new faces and new roles in our industry, as another leader steps in to steer yet one more helm—this time in technology. iFoodDS announced Andrew Kennedy was promoted to Chief Traceability Officer, effective immediately, to lead the company’s product strategy for the traceability product line.

"I am honored to take on the role of Chief Traceability Officer at iFoodDS. iFoodDS' success is rooted in its scalable and interoperable platform. It is the foundation for connecting supply chains and is designed for stronger collaboration between trading partners,” said Kennedy. “I look forward to working with our teams to provide more capabilities that provide deeper product and supply chain insights, resulting in increased supply chain resiliency."

In addition to governing new approaches, the company said in a press release that Kennedy will also be continuing to advocate for the importance of traceability across the food supply chain. In doing so, he will draw upon nearly two decades of experience leading large-scale food supply chain traceability initiatives.

Widely recognized as a subject matter expert in the industry, Kennedy’s experience includes co-leading Tech-Enabled Traceability, a core element of FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative; contributing to FDA's Final Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204); acting as interim director of IFT's Global Food Traceability Center; and Co-Founder of both New Era Partners and FoodLogiQ.

"With Andrew Kennedy's extensive experience in food supply chain traceability, there is no one more qualified to lead iFoodDS' product strategy," Frank Yiannas, Food Safety Leader and Food System Futurist, commented. "Based on our time working together at FDA, I am confident that Andrew will bring his experience, insight, and innovative mindset to his new role, and will help solidify iFoodDS' position as a leading provider of traceability software for large enterprises and suppliers of all sizes."

Having already spearheaded development of numerous food traceability standards and best practices, it will be exciting to see where the new Chief Traceability Officer leads the company next.