The Food Marketing Institute's ability to maintain clout over the years has often been heavily attributed to the influence and commitment of its chairmen. So far 12 industry leaders have assumed this top elected position. The role is rotated among independent operators, chain store executives and wholesalers. Eleven of the executives who have held the chairman's post were interviewed by SN for this anniversary feature (the exception was Donald Schnuck, who passed away in 1991). The
