ARLINGTON, VA — August 27, 2007 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) welcomes Catherine M. Polley, R.Ph., a veteran leader in the pharmacy industry, to the position of FMI vice president, pharmacy services. Polley will spearhead FMI’s new pharmacy public affairs program, launched this year to strengthen industry advocacy on federal pharmacy policy.Polley brings 25 years of experience to the position, most recently as chief policy officer and senior vice president of government and professional affairs at the American Pharmacists Association. In 2006, she was co-president of the Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action, composed of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and National Community Pharmacists Association. “Cathy is a superb choice to lead our pharmacy initiative,” said FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “She is a dedicated pharmacist and an experienced government affairs professional on pharmacy issues. Cathy is a forceful advocate for community pharmacies, including more than 19,000 operated by FMI member companies.” Polley worked for six years as NACDS vice president of state government affairs. She served on the association’s Strategic Planning Committee, educated lawmakers and the media about industry issues and policies, and trained pharmacy employees to become stronger advocates. She spent 18 years at the Kmart Corporation after receiving a B.S. in pharmacy from the University of Michigan. She rose from pharmacy manager to director of pharmacy government and trade relations. Polley directed the company’s pharmacy and healthcare legislative and regulatory agenda and developed a nationally recognized quality assurance program, among many accomplishments. She served on FMI’s Government Relations Committee during her years at Kmart. As FMI’s vice president of pharmacy services, Polley will build its new pharmacy advocacy program, working closely with senior public affairs executives and the association’s Pharmacy Affairs Council. She will assume the position in mid-September. FMI created this program to bring new resources to bear on the federal pharmacy policymaking. Its goal is to ensure that federal laws and regulations recognize the important role that community pharmacies play in the nation’s healthcare system, including the numerous supermarket pharmacies serving consumers today.Note to Media: A photo of Polley is available upon request.Contact:Bill Greer202.220.0667wgreer@fmi.org
Food Marketing Institute proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. FMI’s U.S. members operate nearly 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies, representing a combined annual sales volume of almost $770 billion. Through programs in public affairs, food safety, research, education and industry relations, FMI offers resources and provides valuable benefits to more than 1,225 food retail and wholesale member companies in the United States and around the world. FMI membership covers the spectrum of diverse venues where food is sold, including single owner grocery stores, large multi-store supermarket chains and mixed retail stores. For more information, visit www.fmi.org and for information regarding the FMI foundation, visit www.fmifoundation.org.
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