FMI announces pair of government relations VP appointments

FMI-The Food Industry Association has hired Christine Pollack as vice president of government relations and elevated Elizabeth Tansing vice president of state government relations.

FMI said yesterday that Pollack will lead its federal legislative advocacy efforts across key policy areas for the food industry. With her promotion from senior director of state government relations, Tansing now will oversee FMI’s state issue management as well as the resources and support for member companies and state association executives on the wide range of state public policy challenges that impact the food industry.

Pollack (left) comes to FMI after founding Pollack Consulting, a full-service government affairs, advocacy and communications consulting firm providing strategic advice on issues ranging from international trade, health care and taxes to retail commerce, supply chain and labor. She also served as VP for Horizon Government Affairs and, before that, as VP of government affairs at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). To FMI, Pollack also brings congressional experience, including as legislative director for Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R., Fla.) and senior legislative assistant for Rep. Jim Nussle (R., Iowa).

“Christine is an accomplished professional who brings a deep understanding of the policy issues and political landscape on key issues for the food and retail industry,” FMI Chief Public Policy Officer and Senior VP Jennifer Hatcher said in a statement. “We look forward to leveraging the knowledge and insights Christine brings to FMI to effectively advocate for policies that support our industry’s efforts to continue being a destination for health and well-being for all Americans.”

Related:FMI pitches in to ‘Get Coin Moving’

Tansing (left) has been with FMI for nearly 25 years. She joined the association in 1997 as manager of state government relations, and later she was promoted to director and then senior director of state government relations. FMI noted that Tansing has led the organization’s efforts on dozens of state legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the grocery industry. She also regularly produces newsletters, studies, research, testimony and presentations to help FMI members and state associations in their state and local advocacy and legislative and regulatory policy efforts. Tansing joined FMI after two years as state government relations manager at RILA. She started her career in the government relations department at the Association of National Advertisers.

“Elizabeth’s experience and passion for local and state issues has made her a well-known resource with FMI members and within every state retail and grocer association across the country,” Hatcher commented. “It is often her connections to the state associations and insights into their legislative priorities that allows FMI to forecast federal legislative issues. We’re thrilled to recognize Elizabeth’s accomplishments and contributions to FMI over the years through this well-deserved promotion, and we know she will continue to elevate FMI’s state and local contributions in her new role.”

Related:FMI sizes up pandemic’s financial impact on food retailers