Michael Thomas joined the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) on May 14 as association services manager. He is responsible for leading the association’s legislative and regulatory issues research, committee meeting schedules and conference and webinar agenda development.
He will also serve as the industry’s liaison to communicate emergency planning issues and
provide government and regulatory coverage for the newsletter and e-newsletters.
Thomas spent more than 13 years as a legislative staff member with both chambers of the
Pennsylvania General Assembly, including as a Senate legislative director and as executive
director of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. Prior to his public service, he worked
as a VA laborer, a literary researcher, and as a mascot for a professional baseball team and two
radio stations.
“We are excited to welcome Michael to the PFMA team,” said Alex Baloga, PFMA president and
CEO. “His experience working with the General Assembly will be valuable as he helps our
members navigate legislative and regulatory issues and assists with planning relevant content
for committee meetings.”
Originally from Luzerne County, Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in English from King’s
College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Thomas serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and as the
local membership officer for the central Pennsylvania chapter of American Mensa.
