Megan McKenna promoted at National Watermelon Promotion Board

The National Watermelon Promotion Board has promoted Megan McKenna from director of foodservice to senior director of marketing and foodservice.

McKenna, who joined the watermelon promotion group in late 2014, will oversee foodservice activities, and will be the primary point of contact for consumer, retail, foodservice, nutrition and sustainability research.

When she joined the NWPB, she was assigned the task of building its new foodservice department, according to a news release. Since it was established, watermelon on menus has grown by 54%, according to the release. McKenna has been integral in strategic planning and direction for the group and is responsible for developing its culinary curriculum, which is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.

“Megan has accomplished so much for the NWPB since we hired her,” Mark Arney, executive director at NWPB, said in the release. “Thanks to her, watermelon is being promoted in the foodservice sector showing significant gains year over year since her arrival.”

Before joining the watermelon group, McKenna was with the National Mango Board for about 7 ½ years as marketing manager and director of marketing.She is a member of the International Foodservice Editorial Council, which is dedicated to connecting communications professionals and foodservice media, according to the release.

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