Executive Compensation at Consumer Brands Association (2024)
The Consumer Brands Association or CBA (formerly known as the Grocery Manufacturers Association or GMA until 2020) is a a trade organization representing approximately 75 of the leading food companies that manufacture and market branded and private label food and consumer packaged goods through retail, wholesale and foodservice channels of distribution.
Based in Arlington, Virginia, the CBA is a non-profit 501 (c) (6) – a business association – and thus, tax-exempt. In addition, CBA has a Foundation (CBA Foundation) and a PAC (Consumer Brands Political Action Committee) operating out of the same office location.
CBA has been undergoing changes in recent years with changes in revenue (from $36 million in 2016 to $19 million in 2018) which appears to have led to the departure of the President and CEO and many other employees in 2018.. The organization had nearly $20 million in their general fund by the end of 2018 (down from $30 million the prior year). By year-end 2023, net assets were still virtually unchanged at $18 million. But in 2024, net assets increased to $34 million primarily because the organization spent $6 million less than the collected, posted a $1 million unrecognized gain on investments, and an $8 million change to assets described as an “unrecognized actuarial gain.”
CBA is a small trade organization that historically raised $20-$30 million annually with the most recent Form 990 (2024) reporting CBA raised $35 million, most of which came from membership dues ($15 million) and contributions ($15 million). Expenses were $29 million, most of which were reported to be compensation ($20 million) and fees for services ($5 million).
CBA has also been in the news: In 2022, CBA paid $9 million to settle a lawsuit by the State of Washington, for violating the states’s campaign disclosure law when CBA opposed a GMO labeling ballot initiative (Initiative 522) in 2013.
In 2024, CBA reported having 56 employees who were compensated $20 million, which equates to an average compensation of $357,000. However, only 27 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 10 most highly compensated employees reported to be:
- $1,515,043: David Chavern, President and CEO (until August, 2024)
- $ 952,422: Stacey Papadopoulis, COO and General Counsel
- $ 847,895: Rhonda Bentz, EVP, Public Affairs
- $ 614,466: Genevieve Gent, EVP, Industry Engagement
- $ 408,388: John Hewitt, SVP, Packaging and Sustainability and State Affairs Head
- $ 374,653: Sarah Gallo, SVP, Product Policy and Federal Affairs
- $ 354,806: Jocelyn Kelly, VP, Communications
- $ 334,225: Thomas Madrecki, VP, Campaigns and Special Projects
- $ 309,804: Kristen Hewlett, VP, Operations
- $ 241,188: Joseph Aquilina, VP, and Deputy General Counsel
The 10 employees listed above received $6 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of nearly $600,000. If 10 employees received $6 million than the other 46 employees received $14 million. 17 of the 46 employees received more than $100,000 and 29 of the 46 received less than $100,000. In other words, 29 employees received less than $2.9 million while 17 employees received $11.1 million (or an average of $647,000 – a higher average than the 10 most highly compensated employees. There appears to be an error and may be attributable to the reporting of $9 million to pension plan accruals and contributions on the Form 990, Part IX, Statement of Functional Expenses.
6 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are female while 4 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are male.
CBA paid for first class travel for the President and CEO. In addition, CBA made gross up payments or provided tax indemnification on life insurance and parking benefits for the President and CEO.
To read the IRS Form 990 (2024), click here.
