WASHINGTON -- The Smoke-Free Alternative Trade Association (SFATA), one of the largest trade groups covering the vaping industry, picked its new executive director in former Arizona state legislator Pamela Gorman, the association announced.
Officials with SFATA said Gorman will lead national and state advocacy and legislative efforts, oversee state chapters and represent SFATA with regulatory agencies, including at industry events among other responsibilities.
“Pamela is a perfect fit to lead SFATA against a host of challenges on the national and state levels, with strong experience in policy and advocacy and as elected official,” said Cap O’Rourke, president of the board of directors for SFATA. “On behalf of the board, we look forward to working closely with Pamela to fight regressive policies that harm the small businesses that comprise our industry and stifle the potential vapor products can have on helping reduce the public harm caused by smoking.”
Gorman will replace Cynthia Cabrera, who SFATA officials said resigned to form The Cating Group, a consultancy that helps organizations navigate business and regulatory environments.
Gorman’s experience in the legislative landscape began when she was elected to serve as a state representative in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2005-2006 and later as a state senator in Arizona from 2007-2010. She was part of the Senate leadership team in her last term, also serving as the Senate majority whip.
Since being a lawmaker, Gorman founded U.S. Vapor Inc., a firm providing public affairs consulting to small business owners and advocacy nonprofit organizations working in the vapor industry. Prior to that, she was director of government relations for NJOY Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., where she built one of the first government affairs departments and programs for an independent (not tobacco-owned) manufacturer. She was responsible for budget development, advocacy, issue communications and execution of business legislative initiatives and issue response.
“I am honored to join the vapor industry’s leading trade association and represent the interests of small business owners throughout the country who epitomize the American dream, creating jobs and investment in their communities, providing a significant alternative to smoking,” said Gorman. “Building upon the legacy of my predecessor and leveraging the strength of our organization, I will continue the fight on behalf of these businesses and the consumers they serve against industry-destroying policies and devastating taxes currently facing our membership.”
Prior, she served as senior manager of legislative policy and advocacy for RAI Services Co., Winston-Salem, N.C., specializing on policy issue areas related to tobacco harm reduction and youth-tobacco prevention. Among other responsibilities, she represented the company at conferences, as well as on an industry advisory board (We Card) and in policy discussions with leaders and policy makers.
Founded in 2012, SFATA is one of the largest trade associations in the vapor-products industry with more than 1,400 members and 28 chapters located across the country, representing online retailers, brick-and-mortar vendors, distributors, manufacturers, professional-service providers, importers and wholesalers.
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