ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute here said last week it has promoted Jennifer Hatcher to group vice president, government relations. She will be responsible for directing all federal and state public affairs outreach work for the association. Previously, Hatcher was senior director of government relations at FMI, focusing on a range of issues, including emerging technologies, nutrition-benefit programs, financial services and legal reform. She will report to Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer, FMI. Prior to joining 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, and before that she held positions in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations.
SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets here announced last week that Kurt S. Schertle, a former Shopper's Food and Pharmacy executive, has joined the company as vice president of sales and merchandising. He will manage all aspects of marketing, merchandising and advertising for the company's Center Store, perishable and pharmacy departments. He will also oversee advertising, procurement/private label, pricing and marketing. Schertle succeeds Wayne Bailey, who is now vice president of operational administration at Weis. Schertle has more than 20 years of food retailing experience, mostly with Lanham, Md.-based Shoppers Food and Pharmacy, a division of Supervalu.