Michael Rust, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
The next class of the California Agricultural Leadership Program has been announced. The 24 individuals making the 52nd class are as follows: Michelle Allen-Ziegler, Pactive Evergreen; Cornelio Blanco, Rio Farms; Jeff Borum, East Stanislaus RCD; Grant Cremers, Delicato Family Vineyards; Kasey DeAtley, California State University, Chico; Seth Fiack, Fiack Family Farms; Andrew Genasci, California Farm Bureau; Amanda Gorter, O’Neill Vintners and Distillers; Christopher Greer, Tulare County; Jeff Iniguez, Wonderful Orchards; Mallvinder Kahal, Atlas Almonds; Anna Nakamura Knight, Old Grove Orange; Arima Kozina, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Sean Landberg, Gallo Vineyards; Jeannette McClure, Rabo AgriFinance; Chris McGlothlin, CCGGA/WAPA; Anne Megaro, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Diana Melero, California Farmworker Foundation; Danny Murillo, Agriland Farming Company; David Ogilvie, Wilson Farms and Ogilvie Merwin Vitners; Reid Robinson, Sierra Gold Nurseries, Jacylyn Stokes, Stokes Vineyards; Katey Taylor, Constellation Brands; and John Wiersma, San Luis Canal Company.
The California Milk Advisory Board has brought on Melissa Lema as the new director of producer relations. Lema previously worked for Western United Dairies as a field representative for California’s North coast region. In this position, she helped dairy producers understand and comply with state and federal regulations in the areas of pricing, environmental laws, and labor.
Jeff Tarsi is the new executive vice president and president of global retail for Nutrien. Tarsi brings over 25 years of experience to the position, most recently leading Nutrien’s retail section in an interim capacity.
CropLife America has brought on Peggy Browne as the new vice president of government relations. Browne most recently worked as professional staff on the Senate Agriculture Committee for Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark. Before joining the committee, Browne was the deputy administrator of field operations at USDA's Farm Service Agency.
Michael Rust has joined Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute as a senior research fellow. Rust most recently served as a science adviser to the Office of Aquaculture at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He also served as the aquaculture steering group chair at the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas.
Andrew Cheyne will be joining End Child Poverty California as the managing director of public policy, effective Sept. 26. Cheyne most recently worked for the Food Research and Action Center as the SNAP deputy director. Irene Lewis has taken over Cheyne’s portfolio at FRAC as the SNAP policy analyst. She has previous experience working at the Department of Agriculture as a policy intern.
Lillie Zeng has started her new job as director of communications at the American Sugar Alliance. Zeng most recently served as the press secretary for Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwomen Debbie Stabenow. Before working on Capitol Hill, Zeng worked at the Department of Agriculture, where she held many roles as a public policy expert and strategic communications adviser for marketing and regulatory programs.
Peggy Browne, CropLife America Darin Guries has left the Senate Agriculture Committee, where he served as a senior professional staff member for Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. He handled the portfolio for broadband, commodity markets and policy, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, energy, and housing and community development. Diana Frost has been promoted to the chief growth officer for North America for Kraft Heinz. Frost joined Kraft Heinz in 2020 and was most recently the company’s head of North American Disruption and chief marketing officer for Canada.
Kelly Knowles will serve as the senior adviser, advocacy and industry relations for SNAC International. Knowles has over 20 years of experience in state and federal advocacy. She has worked on the American Bakers Association PAC and the Grain Foods Foundation PAC.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has promoted Kate Fox Wood to vice president of federal affairs, effective immediately. Fox Wood joined AEM in 2015 and has held various positions with the company. Before joining AEM, she held several positions on state and federal political campaigns and served as a legislative assistant to Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C.
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Trey Forsyth has returned to Land O’Lakes as the senior manager of federal government and industry affairs. Forsyth most recently worked for Michael Torrey Associates as the director of government affairs. He also has previous experience working in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as the policy adviser to former chief agricultural negotiator Gregg Doud.
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives has hired Alison Gerzina to serve as coordinator of government affairs and communications. Gerzina most recently worked for the Education Finance Council, where she served as a membership services associate.
Clean Fuels Alliance America has hired Nina Duffy as the organization’s new staff assistant. She is a recent graduate of Bucknell University with a degree in political science and Spanish. She also has previous experience interning on the Hill in the office of Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.
Gina Clark now serves as the communications manager for the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association. Clark has previous experience working for Bayer, Enterprise and SSM Health.
Virginia (Ginni) Rometty has been selected to serve on Cargill's board of directors. Rometty is the former chairwoman, president and CEO of IBM. She became CEO of IBM in 2012 and retired in 2020.
Jeff Moyer will retire from the helm of the Rodale Institute in September 2023, the board of directors announced. Moyer joined the organization in 1976 and held many leadership roles, including farm director, executive director, and CEO. He will remain on staff as CEO for another year and then transition to CEO emeritus, where he will continue to support and advise the organization. Moyer has served as chair of the National Organic Standards Board and currently sits on the boards of the Regenerative Organic Alliance and the Soil Health Institute, and the advisory board of The Real Organic Project.
Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto has announced she will step down as CEO of the International Order of T. Roosevelt. Giacometto’s husband, Leo Anthony, recently passed away. Giacometto announced she needed time to work through his estate and grieve his loss. A celebration of life will take place on Oct. 4, in remembrance of Leo. Skipwith began her career at Monsanto and was director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 2019-2021.
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