September 3, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:
For nearly twenty years Lisa Weddig has headed up the regulatory and food safety work of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI.) With a degree in food science and technology from Virginia Tech and a master’s in nutrition education from Hood College, Weddig worked for the Food Processors Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association before joining NFI.
“Lisa is admired, respected, and relied upon by the seafood community and has been for almost two decades,” said NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard. “Her professional reputation is sterling but her personal demeanor and approach to things has always been a comfort to those who’ve worked with her. Let’s be honest, if you’re an NFI member calling Lisa, and it’s not to talk about National’s baseball, you’ve got a challenge. She’s been our go-to specialist with solutions for a long time, and we congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.”
Weddig will help facilitate the transition to her successor. Jon Woody, most recently the Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Division of Preparedness and Emergency Programs will replace Weddig.
In addition to his 24 years at the FDA, Woody has a deep understanding of industry, also having worked at the National Food Processors Association and its education arm, the Food Processors Institute after earning his master’s in food science from Penn State. At FDA, he led food safety preparedness and response initiatives, including the agency’s food defense program, and played a key role in developing and implementing Food Safety Modernization Act regulations such as the Intentional Adulteration and Food Traceability rules.
“Jon is a recognized food safety expert and will be a tremendous resource for our members,” said Picard. “Regulatory compliance, policy development, and emergency preparedness are a Holy Trinity in food safety. We couldn’t be more pleased to have him join our team.”
Weddig and Woody will coordinate on regulatory and food safety work through the 2026 Global Seafood Market Conference in January.