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FMI Makes Government Relations Staff Changes

Specialty Food Association

FMI – The Food Industry Association, has named Christine Pollack (pictured left) its new vice president of government relations. She will lead FMI’s federal legislative advocacy efforts on policy areas that are critical to the food industry.

Elizabeth Tansing (right), FMI’s senior director, state government relations, has been promoted to vice president, state government relations. She will oversee the association’s state issue management as well as the resources and support for member companies and state association executives on state public policy challenges that impact the food industry.

Prior to joining FMI, Pollack founded Pollack Consulting, a government affairs, advocacy, and communications consulting agency providing advice on a range of issues including international trade, health care, tax, retail commerce, and the supply chain and workforce. She also served as vice president for Horizon Government Affairs, and as vice president, government affairs at the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

“Christine is an accomplished professional who brings a deep understanding of the policy issues and political landscape on key issues for the food and retail industry. We look forward to leveraging the knowledge and insights Christine brings to FMI to effectively advocate for policies that support our industry’s efforts to continue being a destination for health and well-being for all Americans,” said Jennifer Hatcher, FMI chief public policy officer and senior vice president, in a statement.

She joined FMI in 1997 as manager, state government relations. Since then, she has been promoted to director and then senior director, state government relations. During her tenure, she has led FMI’s efforts on dozens of state legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the grocery industry. She regularly produces newsletters, studies, research, testimony and presentations to assist FMI member companies and state associations as they tackle legislative and regulatory issues of importance in the state and local realm.

Tansing previously worked as manager, state government relations, for the Retail Industry Leaders Association and began her career at the Association of National Advertisers in the government relations department.

“Elizabeth’s experience and passion for local and state issues has made her a well-known resource with FMI members and within every state retail and grocer association across the country,” said Hatcher, in a statement. “It is often her connections to the state associations and insights into their legislative priorities that allows FMI to forecast federal legislative issues. We’re thrilled to recognize Elizabeth’s accomplishments and contributions to FMI over the years through this well-deserved promotion, and we know she will continue to elevate FMI’s state and local contributions in her new role.”

Related: FMI Opposes Duplicative Language of Newly Passed Act; Publix Announces Officer Promotions.