The governing board of the Center for Innovative Food Technology, the Northwest Ohio affiliate of the
Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, appointed Rebecca Singer as president and CEO effective Jan. 1.
After more than eight years at the helm, CIFT president and CEO Dave Beck announced his retirement in
August. Beck has been with the organization since its inception in 1995.
“Rebecca is the perfect choice to lead CIFT on its continued path of success,” stated William J. Hirzel,
chairman of the board, CIFT. “Rebecca recognizes the importance of the manufacturing sector to our
region, and understands the tools that can be used to help it grow.”
Prior to joining CIFT in 2001, Singer worked with the Ohio Department of Agriculture as the Ohio Proud
coordinator and direct marketing specialist. A graduate of the Ohio Leadership Education and Development
program, Singer participated in tours of various statewide and international businesses. In 2006, she
traveled to Israel at the invitation of the Negev Foundation, touring various agricultural and food
technology facilities.
She was a recipient of the 2007 Young Professional Achievement Award given by the Ohio State University
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Alumni Society. It was at Ohio State where she
earned her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and applied economics.
She has also attended many professional development programs in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma,
manufacturing quality systems, food safety programs and has served on several planning and advisory
boards.
Singer joined the organization in 2001 and becomes the third president and CEO in the history of CIFT.