After 30 years, David L. McCorkle has announced plans to step down as president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) on June 30. Alex Baloga, vice president, external relations, will succeed him starting July 1, 2017 and McCorkle will become an emeritus staff member.
McCorkle joined PFMA in 1982 and served as its executive director, government and public relations director until 1986 when he was appointed president and CEO. Through the years, he worked on issues such as beer and wine sales, cigarette pricing, fuel and item pricing and workers’ compensation reform. He represented the association on the board of trustees for the Food Marketing Institute and the National Grocers Association, and served on the Legislative Policy Committee for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). He also served as chair of Food Industry Association Executives and was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders in 1998. He served as a director and chairman of the organization prior to its merger with The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence.
“It’s been an honor to serve PFMA members and the food industry,” McCorkle said. “I have had great support from the board and staff through the years and I am thankful for the many great friends I have made in the industry.”
“Alex has done an exceptional job representing the food industry over the past four years and I am confident he will successfully manage the association’s daily activities, while continuing to spearhead our strong government relations efforts.”
Alex Baloga joined PFMA in 2013 as director of government relations. He was promoted to director of government and public relations in 2014 and to vice president of external relations in 2015. Prior to that, he worked as regional manager for U.S. Senator Robert Casey’s office; deputy finance director for Casey’s re-election campaign, and served as an associate lobbyist for Greenlee Partners, LLC.
