The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has added three new members to its Board of Directors.
PFMA welcomes Jess Reese, VP of sales, small format and value for UTZ Snacks; Tim Murray, manager, industry engagement for Altria Group Distribution Co.; and Keith Martin, director of business development, executive director of business development for Associated Wholesale Grocers.
“In welcoming these respected and active members of the food retail industry to the board, they bring years of experience and knowledge that complement our current outstanding PFMA Board of Directors,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We look forward to benefitting from their perspectives and expertise.”
Jess Reese is VP of sales, small format/specialty/discount channels for Utz Quality Foods, based in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She has a background in revenue management and sales, with experience across multiple channels, ERP implementation, price and promotion strategy, change management and team development.
Reese serves as chair of the Utz Women’s Mentoring Group, guiding the first diversity and inclusion group within the company. She has also served on the board of the American Wholesale Marketers Association, San Antonio Food Bank and the Executive Finance Chair of Network of Executive Women Northwest Arkansas. Reese started her more than 20-year career in food with ConAgra Foods and Daymon Worldwide before joining Utz in 2017.
Tim Murray is the manager of industry engagement for Altria Group Distribution Co. He began his career with Philip Morris USA in 1998 as a territory sales manager in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Over the past 25 years, Murray has served in a variety of roles within the Altria family of companies, including sales, operations and analytics.
In his current role, Murray is part of a team responsible for developing advocacy solutions in support of Altria Client Services’ government affairs department throughout the eastern U.S. region. This work further supports the development and execution of engagement systems that enhance alignment with the states, the industry and Altria Group Distribution Co.
Keith Martin is the director of business development, executive director of business development for Associated Wholesale Grocers. He has a history in wholesale operations, private label, loss prevention and business development. Martin has also served on the Virginia Retail Merchants Association board for the past ten years and is a board member of Northwest North Carolina Food Bank.
PFMA is led by a 37-member board of directors, including retail and associate members. This volunteer group shapes the association’s agenda. Members are elected to unlimited three-year terms.
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