About Us
Finding Inspiration & Making Connections
The South Eastern Section of IFT, founded in 1950, serves food professionals across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina as part of IFT’s 20,000-member nonprofit community. Our members—from manufacturing and R&D to retail and academia—work together to advance food technology.
Meet The Team
Adelia Bovell-Benjamin
President/Chair
Anthony Sullivan
President-Elect/Chair Designate
Ogechukwu Tasie
Immediate President/Past Chair
Kevin Mis Solval
Treasurer
Vishal Manjunatha
Secretary
Christopher Kucha
Member/Director At Large
Norma Dawkins
Member/Director At Large
John Onu
Member/Director At Large
Vanessa Njoku
Member/Director At Large
Martha Verghese
Member/Director At Large
Feng Chen
Member/Director At Large
Peter Gichuhi
Member/Director At Large
Shecoya White
Member/Director At Large
Robina Rai
Newsletter Editor, Communications, /Marketing Chair
Ogechukwu Tasie
Nominations & Elections
Sean Overstreet
Supplier Event Chair
Sungeun Cho
Membership Chair
Adelia Bovell-Benjamin
Student Competition Chair
Montreka Dansby
Social Media Lead
Viateur Ngabonzima
Student Rep Tuskegee University
Kaylah Bias
Student Rep Alabama A & M University
Johana Muthiah
Student Rep University of Georgia
Harley Hicks
Student Rep Auburn University
Somin Kim
Student Rep Clemson University
Our Story
Whether you are a new student or a seasoned professional, you will benefit from being a member of the South Eastern Section IFT. Meetings occur several times throughout the year. Check out our events page for fun and informative evenings with outstanding speakers and tours. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn as well. Participating in the section events will provide you with the opportunity to network, be active in your local area, and enjoy gourmet cuisine.
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Anyone with an interest is welcome to join! Membership
The South Eastern Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is one of regional sections of the IFT, a non-profit community of over 20,000 food industry professionals. Our section was founded in 1950 and the territory of our section includes Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Our members represent all areas of the food industry, from manufacturing to retail/consumer goods to research & development as well as academics and beyond. With professionals in both industry and academia, we strive to promote all aspects of food technology for the benefit of our members.
IFT has been advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system by creating a dynamic forum where individuals from more than 90 countries can collaborate, learn, and grow, transforming scientific knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of people around the world. And our section takes pride in our rich history of supporting IFT’s vision and mission. To learn more about IFT and to get involved, click HERE.
Past Presidents of SEIFT
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021
2018-2019
2017-2018
2016-2017
2015-2016
2014-2015
2013-2014
2012-2013
2011-2012
2010-2011
2009-2010
2008-2009
2007-2008
Alex Thompson
John Onuh
Susan Mungai
Dr. Josh Herring
Beate Lloyd
Tamanna Ramesh
Elsina Hagan
Kirk Kealey
Nancy Brach Rogers
Anand Mohan
Sande Cropsey
Josh Herring
Lucy Reid
Martha Verghese
Kristi Crowe-White
Corinne Baskin
Lloyd Walker
2006-2007
2004-2005
2003-2004
2002-2003
2001-2002
2000-2001
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998
1996-1997
1995-1996
1994-1995
1993-1994
1992-1993
1991-1992
1990-1991
1989-1990
Feng Chen
James Daniels
Ronald Galyean
Jean Weese
Daniel Cohn
Paul Dawson
Pam Coleman
Lloyd Walker
Robert Stroup
Casimir Akoh
Suzanne Mailman
Donald Conner
Alfred Fain
John Surak
James McCollum
Robert Shewfelt
Tommy Nakayama​​