FMI Names Group VP, Gov't Relations

The Food Marketing Institute has promoted Jennifer Hatcher to the position of group VP, government relations, in which capacity she will direct all federal and state public affairs outreach work for the trade association Hatcher will report to FMI president and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin.

"Over the past 10 years, FMI has relied on Jennifer's extensive knowledge to address issues, legislation and regulations of concern to food retailers and wholesalers," said Sarasin. "Her cumulative experience and the broad respect she receives for her understanding of key industry issues made her a natural choice for this position. Her oversight of the development and implementation of strategies relating to federal legislation and public policy issues will be an extraordinary asset to FMI and our membership."

Hatcher was previously FMI's senior director of government relations, focusing on public policy issues affecting payments, emerging technologies, Food Stamps, WIC, financial services and legal reform. She is chairman of the legislative subcommittee of the Merchants Payments Coalition, a cross-industry coalition addressing fairness and competition in the credit card interchange fee system.

Before joining Arlington, Va.-based FMI in 1998, Hatcher was chief of staff to Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) who is currently the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee. She also worked for the Secretary of the Treasury as a special assistant and was White House liaison during President George H.W. Bush's administration and a White House intern during the Reagan administration.