The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), a statewide trade association advocating for the retail food industry, celebrated 65 years of service and its long-time President and CEO David McCorkle during its annual conference, May 8-9, at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pennsylvania.
Five former PFMA Chairman read the association’s 65 years of accomplishments and saluted
McCorkle’s work over the past 35 years during a dinner celebration. Former chairmen Christy
Spoa, Ellwood City Save-A-Lot; Scott Hartman, Rutter’s; Louie Sheetz, Sheetz, Inc.; Dan
McNabb, Baldwin-Whitehall Food Stores; and Paul Rankin, Country Fair, Inc.; and current
chairman, Jeff Brown, Brown’s Super Stores; shared accomplishments such as starting
business services Pennsylvania Coupon Redemption Services and MEMO Financial Services;
the Scanning Certification Program, Responsible Tobacco Sales Certification Program and the
Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship Program. They also recognized important legislation
PFMA and its members helped get implemented, such as adult beverage sales, a uniform food
code, tougher organized retail crime penalties and efforts to prevent waste and promote
recycling.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge provided a video message recognizing the
association’s work and David McCorkle’s contribution to the industry. Scott Hartman announced
that starting next year one of the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarships will be designated
the David and Kathryn McCorkle Scholarship for David and his wife Kathy’s contributions to
Pennsylvania’s food industry.
McCorkle, who currently serves as president emeritus, praised the association and its members.
“What you have in this room is really very special in the country and we’re going to have to work
doubly hard in the next decade to make sure the successes we’ve enjoyed to date continue in
the future,” he said. “It’s a changing industry. It’s a changing consumer and your jobs are
changing.”
In addition to the celebratory dinner, PFMA offered educational seminars and a golf outing.
Speakers included Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives, National
Association of Convenience Stores, who presented on “Building a Healthier Convenience Store.”
Daniel Dowdy and Patrick Donahue of Federated Insurance, offered ideas on “Improving your
business’s human resource tactics;” and Lisa Dell’Alba, Square One Markets, moderated a panel
of millennials who discussed shopping habits, marketing, technology and what attracts and
keeps millennials at a company. Panelists included Tom Charley, Charley Family Shop ‘n Save;
Andrea Karns, Karns Quality Foods; and Danny Rodriguez, Square One Markets.
As required in its by-laws, the association held its annual meeting with the membership where
President and CEO Alex Baloga presented the annual report; Treasurer Tom Cormier, AholdDelhaize, offered the financial statements; and Scholarship Chairman Scott Hartman, Rutter’s,
gave an update on the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship Program.
The board of directors also met and elected Bill McGlone, Main Street Market, Bangor,
Pennsylvania, as the newest member.
PFMA’s next event is the Fall Legislative Conference on October 1-2 at the Harrisburg Hilton.
