PFMA president wins excellence in government affairs award

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) awarded the 2018 GMA Excellence in Government Affairs to Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), at the Food Industry Association Executives Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico last month.

The award is presented to a state association executive who has worked with the GMA to advance public policy initiatives in state and local jurisdictions.

“At PFMA, we serve as the voice representing thousands of businesses and individuals working in the food and beverage industry in Pennsylvania and neighboring states,” Baloga said. “We work hard every day to promote the industry and drive positive legislative change for our members statewide and in Philadelphia, which currently includes an ongoing effort to repeal a sugar-sweetened beverage tax that’s crippling businesses.”

Baloga joined the PFMA in 2013 as director of government affairs. The following year, he was made director of communications and was promoted to vice president of external relations in 2015. In 2017, he became president and CEO.

Baloga represents PFMA members on the Pennsylvania Lottery Sales Advisory Council and also serves as a board member on the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. He also serves on the Classification and Ratings Committee for the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau.