The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has announced that Ryan Middleton, government affairs senior manager for PepsiCo’s Northeast U.S. region, and Michael Cotherman, senior national account manager with McLane Co., have joined the PFMA Board of Directors.
Middleton succeeds Deriece Harrington on the board, while Cotherman replaces Charles Irons.
Michael Cotherman
Cotherman brings 28 years of experience in convenience-store distribution, customer partnership, and account leadership, and currently manages one of the top five convenience-store chains in the country for McLane Company, supporting strategic growth, operational execution and collaboration between McLane and its customer partners.
“Michael has a deep understanding of convenience-stores and the supply chains that support retailers across Pennsylvania,” said PFMA President and CEO Alex Baloga. “We are excited to welcome him back to the PFMA board of directors.”
A lifelong Pennsylvanian, Cotherman is known for building partnerships, solving complex account challenges and helping his team deliver consistent results in a fast-moving retail environment. His experience working with convenience-store operators gives him a strong perspective on the needs of PFMA members and the issues shaping the industry.
“I’m honored to rejoin the PFMA board and continue supporting Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry,” Cotherman said. “PFMA has a strong understanding of the challenges facing members, and I look forward to working with the board to help move that work forward.”
Ryan Middleton
Middleton brings more than a decade of experience in public policy, government affairs, and community-focused leadership at the federal, state, and local levels. In his role with PepsiCo, he works with state and local governments across the Northeast to help the company navigate policy issues, sustainability priorities and corporate responsibility efforts.
“Ryan brings a strong public policy background, a practical understanding of government relations and a thoughtful approach to solving complex issues,” Baloga said. “His experience will be a valuable asset to PFMA as we continue advocating for Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry and supporting the businesses that serve communities across the Commonwealth.”
Before joining PepsiCo, Middleton held several public service roles in Maryland, including serving as director of CountyStat for Prince George’s County, where he led a team of data analysts focused on improving government services, measuring agency effectiveness, and advancing priority initiatives. He also previously served in the Office of the County Executive, working on policy development, community investment, public safety reform, and COVID-19 response efforts.
In addition to his professional work, Middleton has been active in community service and civic leadership, including serving as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, president of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, and a member of the Maryland Bar Character Committee. He was also appointed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to the Maryland Council on Open Data.