Associations

CHICAGO — The Network of Executive Women is honoring Michael Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, with its William J. Grize Diversity Hall of Fame Award, on June 28 during Women's Day at the LPGA in Rogers Ark. The award, named after the late CEO of Ahold USA, who was an early advocate of industry diversity, is bestowed upon industry leaders who have demonstrated "an enduring commitment to the advancement of women and to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace," NEW announced.

Dallas -- The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced that it has entered into a strategic business partnership with TopSource LLC, a sourcing company and wholly owned subsidiary of Topco Associates LLC. FMI said the partnership will provide its members the opportunity to support the foundations of their growing businesses with significant savings related to costs in not-for-resale areas.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation on Thursday urged the Federal Trade Commission to move cautiously in establishing regulations for mobile payments, and said any rules that are adopted should parallel those for the underlying form of payment and not be specific to the technology.

Following up on last week’s article (One area where Amazon.com doesn’t have an advantage), the extent of that advantage in the U.S. was on display in the nation’s capitol this week.

Following up on last week’s commentary (A dot com disconnect and Canadian e-commerce opportunity revealed), the legislative loophole that has U.S. retailers at a disadvantage to their Canadian counterparts was on display again this week during congressional testimony in Washington, D.C.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected three new members to its board of directors.

The board, which now will expand to 23 members for 2012-2013, include Rite Aid's SVP and chief communications officer Susan Henderson; GlaxoSmithKline VP channel development and sales Joseph Kucharski; and Pfizer Worldwide Pharmaceuticals VP corporate government customers David Moules.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation announced that Bill Thorne has been named senior VP communications and public affairs. He will join NRF on June 1 to oversee the organization’s industry and public affairs communications strategy. Thorne currently serves as senior director Community Affairs at Walmart Corp.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has named Bill Thorne SVP communications and public affairs. He will join NRF on June 1 to oversee the organization’s industry and public affairs communications strategy, including NRF’s Retail Means Jobs campaign, a multi-million-dollar initiative to demonstrate the power of retail to America’s economy and the career opportunities within the industry. Thorne currently serves as senior director, community affairs at Walmart.