FMI names new director of government relations

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute on Thursday named Hannah Walker director of government relations to represent food retailers on Capitol Hill.

In her role at FMI, Walker will focus on a portfolio of issues, including payments, financial services, food assistance, data security and technology. Walker's experience on the Hill includes a stay at the State of Florida Washington Office, where she was a federal policy adviser dedicated to agriculture energy, tax, trade and environmental issues; and later legislative director to Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., who served on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and chaired the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.

Walker worked on the 2008 campaign that brought Rooney to office, and then served as his legislative director until her most recent move to FMI. Walker helped to organize and build a successful legislative shop for an active Congressional office, advising the Congressman on issues and policy positions with both local and national implications.

Walker earned her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her juris doctor from University of Memphis School of Law.