Washington, DC - Anne Forristall Luke, a leading public affairs specialist in Washington, has been named the new President of the U.S. Tuna Foundation (USTF) effective immediately. Ms. Forristall Luke succeeds David Burney, who is retiring after 30 years of leading USTF's operations.

Ms. Forristall Luke will oversee USTF's offices in Washington and San Diego and will provide policy direction for the canned tuna industry both domestically and internationally. She will also direct communications for the industry.

"After a rigorous search, Anne was the unanimous choice to lead USTF," said Burney. "Her leadership skills, expertise in legislative and regulatory policy, and background in communications will be invaluable to this association and its member companies, as will her reputation as a thoughtful consensus-builder among many diverse interests in the business, government and environmental communities."

Ms. Forristall Luke joins USTF after a successful career in government relations and public affairs, the last three as a principal at MGN, Inc., an independent federal government relations firm in Washington specializing in legislative and regulatory strategy. At MGN, Ms. Forristall Luke advised corporate, trade association, municipal government and university executives on legislative proposals and advocacy. Before joining MGN, Ms. Forristall Luke led the public affairs practice at Ketchum, a leading international public relations company, where she specialized in environmental, financial services and health policy issues.

Ms. Forristall Luke also brings to USTF a deep knowledge of the workings of government, having started her career in the Land and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She then spent ten years as a senior professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, including six years as legislative assistant, legislative director and subcommittee staff director to former Congressman Dennis Eckart (D-OH) and four years on the staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee under then-Chairman John D. Dingell (D-MI) and subcommittee chair Al Swift (D-WA).

Established in 1976, the U.S. Tuna Foundation (USTF) is the national organization representing the canned tuna processors and the fishermen who supply them and addresses issues ranging from fishing access arrangements to federal and state regulations and domestic marketing.

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