PEOPLE IN THE NEWS: Jim Heim

Jim Heim, the president of business development for Central Garden & Pet, received the Pet Industry Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. 

Heim, who served on the PIJAC board of directors for seven years, and as the chairman for the past four years, focused his tenure’s efforts on communicating to pet industry and political leaders the benefits of a healthy companion animal industry, educating others in support of animal welfare, and promoting the numerous benefits of the human-pet bond.

Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Central Garden & Pet CEO John Ranelli said, “Jim is a pillar and key leader in the pet industry. We are very proud to have him on the Central team." 

Jim also currently serves as the chairman of the American Pet Product Association (APPA) and is a director of the Pet Food Institute. 

PIJAC, a Washington,D.C.-based pet advocacy association, works to ensure that animals in the care of pet owners are treated with kindness and respect, and that pets do not cause environmental or human health problems.