![]() The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) chose Sadie Fedor, a Bethel Park High School senior, as the recipient of a $1,000 DECA Scholarship. PFMA sponsors a DECA scholarship each year. Fedor credits her experience in DECA for influencing her decision to pursue a degree in business. She has been accepted to the Farmer School of Business at Miami University of Ohio where she plans to study marketing. “Sadie is an exceptional student. Her dedication to DECA has positively impacted the organization and prepared her for success as she continues her education,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “We are thrilled to award this scholarship to Sadie in recognition of her hard work.” Fedor joined DECA as a sophomore and quickly rose to leadership roles. As a junior, she became an officer in her local DECA chapter, getting more involved in the organization’s community service opportunities. She competed and placed in several district events and completed a research project for Pittsburgh-based PGH Apparel to help them determine how to recover from the impact of COVID-19. As a senior, Fedor served as co-president of her DECA chapter. She organized several fundraisers to provide money for students attending future conferences. Her efforts raised nearly $5,000. In this year’s district conference, she earned first place in the Retail Merchandising Role Play category. “Through DECA, I have learned how to truly be a leader and gained self-confidence,” Fedor wrote in her scholarship statement. “DECA has driven me to work harder outside of school and improve myself through sparking my interest in the world of business.” In addition to DECA, Fedor is in the National Honor Society and French National Honors Society. She serves on the Principal’s Advisory Council, Student Government, Homecoming Committee and is vice president of French Club. She is involved in Drill Team, chorus, the musical, Teen Leadership Corps and Ways and Means. Fedor works as a lead brand rep for Hollister Co., kitchen help at Al’s Cafe and as a customer service associate at John the Greek Food Concessions. ![]() The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is pleased to announce the addition of Rena Shiles, vice president of operations at Albertsons Companies, to its Board of Directors. Shiles leads the ACME Markets subsidiary of the MidAtlantic Division of Albertsons, overseeing 86 grocery stores that cover central and southern New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, down to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “ACME Markets always has been a supportive and active association member. We’re excited to welcome Rena to the board as we continue that relationship,” said Alex Baloga, PFMA president and CEO. “Rena’s impressive personal and professional experience will be a great asset to the association.” Shiles rose quickly within the company. In January 2016, she joined Albertsons’ Safeway Division as an assistant store director, moving up the ranks to store director. She eventually became a district manager, controlling more than 21 stores in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in 2019. During this tenure, she was recognized for being a focal point of her division’s high growth in sales. She increased creative marketing strategy initiatives and built cohesive, diverse teams that exponentially improved her company’s economic stature. Prior to Albertsons, she served with distinction in the U.S. Army for over 25 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. She attributes this life experience to developing a strong sense of commitment, high motivational presence and lead from-the-front mentality. She demonstrates these qualities daily, which is witnessed by her subordinates, peers and supervisors. Shiles is an expert problem-solver and innovator. This allows her to get the best performance from her employees and teach them to show an exemplary presence in customer relations. Shiles earned a Master’s in Business Administration from American University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas. Her husband, Timothy, is currently serving overseas in the U.S. Army. PFMA is led by a 35-member Board of Directors that includes retail and associate members. This volunteer group shapes the association’s agenda. |
AuthorErica Koup Logsdon, Director of Communications and Media Relations Archives
June 2023
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