 Erica Koup Logsdon joined PFMA staff in 2023 as Director of Communications and Media Relations. Erica is a seasoned community engagement, marketing, and communications expert in local retail and business, has joined the association as the director of communications and media relations.
In this role, she is responsible for the association’s overall communications efforts, including its print, digital and online communications. She produces the association’s monthly magazine, Spectrum, hosts PFMA's Shelf Confidence podcast and manages the association's social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Erica comes to the association with years of communications experience from her roles with Fenner, A Michelin brand company, WITF, and Crescent Strategy. In addition to her professional accomplishments, over the past four years Erica has been active in the community building a diverse group for women to fill a gap she saw in her community for women to connect. Through her Gals that Brunch HBG initiative Erica has created a positive, authentic, and empowering atmosphere where women can connect with each other and find community. She also uses this community to help small businesses in the Greater Harrisburg area market engage an audience who values small business and community. A central Pennsylvania native, Erica earned her bachelors degree in Political Science and American Government at the University of North Georgia while attending their military program and earned a master's certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers University.  Jennifer Hamelin joined the association in 1992 as a data entry clerk for MEMO. She held several positions in MEMO including Administrative Assistant to Tanya Butler, president of MEMO Financial Services, Inc., before becoming a compliance analyst where she monitored money order clearings and filed Suspicious Activity Reports with the IRS. She left the association in January 2010 to focus on her growing family and returned to PFMA as an Administrative Assistant in 2011. In 2023, as a result of her evolving responsibilities with the association, her title was changed to Senior Administrative Specialist.
Jennifer has an excellent customer service background and handles multiple tasks delegated by different associates in the Government Relations department as well as accounting. She handles PFMA membership inquiries and transactions as well as the administration of the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship program. Jennifer is a notary and has been a member of PAN since 2000.  Michael Howells joined PFMA in 2020 as Association Services Manager. In 2021, he was promoted to Director of Research and Association Services. He assists PFMA members with questions on legislative and regulatory issues; serves as a liaison to communicate emergency planning issues; manages the association’s committees, and provide government relations coverage in the monthly newsletter and weekly e-newsletter communications. In addition, he assists with the planning and educational programming for the PFMA Annual Conference, Fall Legislative Conference and webinars. In 2023, Michael was promoted to Vice President of Association Services, where he continues to expand his responsibilities and assist in more legislative, political and advocacy activities for the association. He will also assist in association strategic planning and organizational development.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Michael moved to the United States during his school years. He attended Gettysburg College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and has remained in Central Pennsylvania ever since. Prior to joining PFMA he was employed for more than a decade at Pennsylvania Legislative Services, a legislative tracking and media organization in Harrisburg, where he covered the state’s legislative and executive branches. Michael is a published author, holds memberships to various local and statewide organizations, and is a Library of Congress “By the People” project volunteer.  Alex Baloga became PFMA President and CEO on July 1, 2017. After joining 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. Baloga leads PFMA's day-to-day operations and helps implement its strategic vision, working with the board of directors, of which he is a member. He leads PFMA’s government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels. He also manages PFMA’s federal, state and Philadelphia Food PACs along with PFMA’s Legislative, Pharmacy and WIC Stakeholder’s committees.
He serves on the Classification and Ratings Committee for the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau. He is a board member on the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund. He joined the Pennsylvania Department of Health's newly formed Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Advisory Group in 2022. He sits on the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) Board of Directors, the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association Board of Directors and the NACS Legislative Committee. In addition, he represents PFMA members on the Pennsylvania Lottery Sales Advisory Council. Baloga previously served as deputy finance director for Robert P. Casey’s re-election campaign for U.S. Senator, where he directed the fund raising activities in central Pennsylvania. He has extensive contacts from his experience as an associate lobbyist for Greenlee Partners, LLC, a premier government relations firm with offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In addition, he worked in U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s Government office as a regional field manager, serving as the senator’s liaison to government, community and constituent groups in central Pennsylvania; monitoring local issues and developments, and representing Senator Casey at civic meetings and community events. Baloga has earned recognition for his work in the food retail industry on several 40 under 40 lists, including Central Penn Business Journal, City & State PA and The Griffin Report. He recently was recognized in City & State PA’s 2022 PA Agriculture Power 100. He also earned the 2018 Excellent in Government Affairs Award from the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Baloga earned his bachelor’s degree in History with a specialty in Political Science from West Virginia University. |
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
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