NRF Salutes Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s David F. Vite

For Immediate Release
Stephen E. Schatz (202) 626-8119
SchatzS@NRF.com

NRF Salutes Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s David F. Vite

WASHINGTON, February 25, 2013 – The National Retail Federation today issued the following statements from Chairman of the Board Stephen I. Sadove and President and CEO Matthew Shay on the retirement of David F. Vite as president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association:

“On behalf of the NRF Board of Directors, I salute David Vite on his distinguished career as head of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and congratulate Rob Karr on his unanimous selection to lead IRMA. Rob has the experience and political and policy know-how to lead the Association and its members well into the future. NRF looks forward to working with IRMA, the two state retail executives seated on our Board, and all the other state retail organizations as we work in unison to amplify retail’s voice.” – NRF Chairman of the Board Stephen I. Sadove

“I have known and worked with Dave for over 25 years, both at the state level when I was a young state retail executive in Ohio and now at the federal level. Dave has always been a good friend and mentor to me. He has always been and continues to be the industry leader we all aspire to be. Due to his unmatched work ethic on behalf of Illinois’ retailers, Dave has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and policymakers alike and has positioned IRMA for many years of success. While I will miss working with Dave – truly the gold standard for state retail executives – I know IRMA will be in great and capable hands under the leadership and stewardship of Rob Karr.” – NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s Retail Means Jobs campaign emphasizes the economic importance of retail and encourages policymakers to support a Jobs, Innovation and Consumer Value Agenda aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. www.nrf.com

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