Sylvia B. Rowe, President, SR STRATEGY, LLC

Sylvia Rowe is currently president of SR Strategy, LLC pursuing communications and issues management consulting on a broad range of health, nutrition, food safety and risk issues. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Previously Rowe served as president and chief executive officer of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and IFIC Foundation, in Washington, DC, (nonprofit organizations) that communicate science-based information on food safety and nutrition issues to health professionals, journalists, government officials, educators and consumers. IFIC’s programs are primarily supported by the broad-based food, beverage and agricultural industries.

During her eleven-year tenure, IFIC has established itself as a leader in consumer research and consumer-based communications in nutrition, food safety, and health. Rowe’s leadership has resulted in national public-private partnerships and coalitions between IFIC and preeminent government agencies and health organizations committed to developing science-based consumer communications on healthful lifestyles. Rowe's background in media and expertise in issues management are reflected in her professional history as a producer and on-air host of several television and radio talk shows covering social, political, economic and consumer issues. She also previously held positions in public relations, marketing, and membership development for the American Tort Reform Association, the American Association of University Women, and The Sugar Association. Rowe has served on several Boards and Advisory Committees of the following: the American Heart Association’s Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, the American Society of Association Executives Foundation, Food Update Foundation, Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy Graduate Program in Nutrition Communication, University of Rochester Medical Center Nutrition Academic Award Program, Food and Drug Law Institute, Society for Nutrition Education Foundation, and Maryland Title IX Commission. She is also a member of the International Women’s Leadership Forum, the National Press Club, American Newswomen’s Club, the American Society of Association Executives and Institute of Food Technologists. Rowe received a Bachelor's Degree from Wellesley College and was awarded a Masters Degree from Harvard University, both with honors.

Nick Alexander, BA

Nick. Alexander is former senior media counselor for the International Food Information Council Foundation located in Washington, DC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and is a former network correspondent with ABC News. Mr. Alexander has, for more than a decade, counseled a variety of clients, including research scientists on media relations, communication strategies and message development. Over the past several years, Mr. Alexander and Sylvia Rowe have collaborated on a series of published journal articles on science communications issues and the evolving challenge to public acceptance of credible science.

Gary Mans, MPA, Director of Public Relations, UAB

Gary Mans has been at UAB since 1996, joining as the manager of media relations for the UAB health enterprise. He now has day-to-day responsibility for media relations for all 12 schools of the university. This endeavor includes oversight for the electronic communications division at UAB. Additionally, he handles issue and crisis management for the university’s athletic program. In 2002, the office won the CASE Gold Medal for Overall Media Relations Program and the Grand Award for, Overall Media Relations Program for District III. Prior to UAB, Mans was the director of media relations at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. He also has worked at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Shands Hospital in Gainesville and the University of Florida Health Sciences Center.