Jun 19, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC — June 19, 2003 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) is pleased to announce that Rich Savner, director of public affairs and government relations, Pathmark Stores, Inc., will serve as chair of FMI’s Communications Committee. Savner succeeds outgoing chair Mickey Clerc, who is retiring from Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., on June 25.

Comprised of senior level public affairs and public relations professionals from FMI member companies, the FMI Communications Committee helps to guide the organization in defining communications strategies for key industry issues and in developing appropriate and accurate messages for its membership. Committee members include companies of all sizes, from different regions of the U.S. and Canada and with various areas of specialization and expertise.

Savner began his career with Pathmark in 1984 as a site analyst in the market research department. Over the next 13 years, he held various positions in that department before being named to his current position. Savner represents Pathmark, addressing legislative and regulatory matters on both the federal and state levels, working with issues such as electronic benefits transfer (EBT), energy aggregation and food safety. He is also responsible for Pathmark’s media relations and serves as company spokesman.

In addition to the FMI Communications Committee, Savner serves on the FMI Government Relations Committee. He is also actively involved with the New Jersey Food Council and Food Industry Alliance of New York, and he is co-chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.

Savner coordinates Pathmark’s fund raising efforts to assist nonprofit organizations including the food banks in each state where Pathmark operates, the American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk, Here’s Life Inner City and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

In 2001, Savner received the New Jersey Food Council “Good Government Award,” and in 2003, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association “Keystone Award” for his leadership and dedication in government relations.

Savner holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Seton Hall University and a master’s of science from Rutgers University.

Employed by Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. since 1961, Mickey Clerc served as chair of the FMI Communications Committee from 2000 to 2003. During his tenure, the food retail industry faced a number of significant issues, food safety and security, biotechnology, animal welfare, industry consolidation and competition, vast technological change and rapidly changing American demographics. Input and direction from the committee on these sensitive issues helped FMI formulate important communications strategies for its entire membership.