GMA Honors PMFA’s Baloga for Excellence in Government Affairs

Alex Baloga, president and CEO of Harrisburg, Pa.-based Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), was awarded with the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) 2018 Excellence in Government Affairs award at this week’s Food Industry Association Executives annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Alex Baloga photograph courtesy of PFMA

“Alex’s leadership and unwavering dedication are the embodiment of a true advocate,” said Greg Costa, GMA’s senior director of state affairs. “We are fortunate to have him representing the industry both in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and honored to recognize him with this award.”

GMA annually selects one outstanding state association executive to recognize for advancing public policy initiatives in state and local jurisdictions that benefit both CPG manufacturers and retailers alike.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

During Baloga’s tenure helming the statewide trade association, PFMA has successfully lobbied a variety of issues on behalf of its membership, including taking a lead role in Pennsylvania and contributing considerably to the federal lobbying effort on GMO labeling. PFMA has also been leaders in the fight to halt Philadelphia’s controversial beverages tax throughout the commonwealth with the formation of the Ax the Bev Tax Coalition.