Arlington, VA – (March 3, 2009) – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today announced the promotion of Jennifer Hatcher to Group Vice President, Government Relations, to direct all federal and state public affairs outreach work for the nation’s leading supermarket industry trade association. She will report to Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer, FMI.

     “Over the past ten years, FMI has relied on Jennifer’s extensive knowledge to address issues, legislation and regulations of concern to food retailers and wholesalers. Her cumulative experience and the broad respect she receives for her understanding of key industry issues made her a natural choice for this position,” said Sarasin. “Her oversight of the development and implementation of strategies relating to federal legislation and public policy issues will be an extraordinary asset to FMI and our membership.”

     Previously, Hatcher was senior director of government relations at FMI focusing on public policy issues impacting payments, emerging technologies, Food Stamps, WIC, financial services and legal reform. She serves as chairman of the legislative subcommittee of the Merchants Payments Coalition, a cross-industry coalition addressing fairness and competition in the credit card interchange fee system.

     Prior to joining FMI in 1998, she served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) who is currently the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. She also served the Secretary of the Treasury as a Special Assistant and White House Liaison during President George H.W. Bush’s Administration and as a White House intern during President Ronald Reagan’s Administration.

Hatcher holds a BA in political science from Vanderbilt University and a Masters in Government from Johns Hopkins University. She is a native of Tennessee and lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and two daughters, ages 5 and 8.

A photograph is available upon request.