Specialty Food Association President Bill Lynch to Step Down in 2027
After more than a quarter-century of service, Bill Lynch will conclude his tenure as president of the Specialty Food Association in March 2027. The organization’s board of directors has initiated a national search for his successor, aiming to maintain stability following a period of substantial financial and operational growth.
Lynch, who has led the association since 2020, presided over a transformative era for the trade group. During his time as president, the organization saw membership rolls climb 24% to 4,868 companies, while annual revenue surged 50% to $31.1 million. Under his guidance, the association successfully navigated the post-pandemic recovery of its signature Fancy Food Shows and rebranded its winter event as the Winter FancyFaire. The acquisition of the Good Food Foundation further solidified the group’s influence in the $219-billion specialty food sector.
Scott Jensen, chair of the SFA Board of Directors, credited Lynch with fostering a robust organizational culture and delivering record-setting financial health. To manage the upcoming change, the board has retained the executive search firm ForceBrands. The association confirmed that all member services, educational programming, and trade events will continue without interruption throughout the multi-month transition period.
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