The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced that Steve King will retire from his role as president and CEO, effective December 31, 2021. APPA executive vice president and COO Andrew Darmohraj, CAE, will act as interim CEO while the APPA board works to permanently fill King’s position.

King began his career in the pet industry in 1982, became chief staff executive at the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) in 1990 and for the past three years has led the APPA. In his retirement announcement he reflected on watching the pet care community transform from mostly small, family-owned business to a $100 billion powerhouse industry.

“A leader is only as good as the people he or she is tasked to lead, and I have been blessed to have wonderful teams at PIDA and APPA who are dedicated to helping this industry thrive and members succeed,” King said. I leave knowing that APPA members are in good hands and that the return of Global Pet Expo this spring will be a renewal of an essential marketplace of products and of ideas.”