Apr 29, 2008
ARLINGTON, VA – April 29, 2008 – Steven Curtis Smith, board chair of the Food Marketing Institute and president and CEO of K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., d/b/a Food City, Abingdon, Virginia, announced today that FMI President and CEO, Tim Hammonds, has elected to retire. Hammonds, the Institute’s second chief executive, will have served in that capacity for fifteen years. A search committee is in place chaired by Ronald D. Pearson, Chairman Emeritus, Hy-Vee, Inc.


      Speaking for the FMI board of directors, Smith described Hammonds as having “ably led the organization during a time of extraordinary change in the industry.”

      “Tim Hammonds has made a major contribution to the expansion and enhancement of a number of programs that will continue to be of significant benefit to the food industry, especially in the areas of food safety, social responsibility, industry relations and political action,” Smith said.

      Smith said Hammonds “plans to continue as president and chief executive until a successor is in place. We are grateful for Tim’s assurance that he will remain in place until the succession is completed.”