The Office of the United States Trade Representative has tapped Rufino Hurtado as the new senior trade representative at the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. He joined USTR in January 2017 in the Office of Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy and most recently served as a deputy assistant U.S. trade representative.
Rufino Hurtado, senior trade representative at the U.S. Mission to the European UnionRoger Isom has joined the board of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Isom is the president and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA). Isom brings 31 years of regulatory and legislative advocacy experience to the board, previously working at CCGGA since 1992 and WAPA since 2009.
Caleb Crosswhite is joining the Republican staff of the Senate Ag Committee as the new chief counsel. His first day is Thursday. Crosswhite previously worked on the House Ag Committee as senior counsel for Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa. Before that, he was the senior adviser and counsel for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs. He replaces Andy Rezendes, who has taken a new job with the Farm Credit Administration as the associate director in the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs.
James Glueck is headed to the Corn Refiners Association as the new executive director of the Plant Based Products Council and will also serve as the senior vice president of advanced bioproducts at CRA. He previously worked at Torrey Advisory Group as a vice president. Before that, he was the GOP staff director for the Senate Ag Committee under then-Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. Glueck replaces Jessica Bowman who has left the company.
The Corn Refiners Association also brought on Kristy Goodfellow as the new vice president of trade and industry affairs. Goodfellow previously served as the director of World Trade Organization Affairs at USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Roger Isom, California Agricultural Leadership FoundationPivot Bio has named Debra Frimerman the new chief business development officer and Wendy Watkins as the new chief communications officer, effective immediately. Frimerman most recently was the general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief compliance officer at Calyxt. Watkins previously worked at Hormel Foods, where she was senior vice president and chief communications officer.
The Solar Energy Industries Association has hired Stacy Ettinger as the organization’s new senior vice president of supply chain and trade. Ettinger most recently served as a partner at K&L Gates, leading the firm’s international trade policy practice. Before that, she served as a trade negotiator, adviser, and litigator at the Department of Commerce. She also was a senior legal and policy adviser to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
The National Peanut Board has selected Ryan Lepicier as the new president and CEO, effective Jan. 1. He most recently served as NPB’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
John Schneider has been named senior vice president of digital and engagement at Curious Plot. Bringing 20 years of experience to the role, Schneider previously owned his own digital marketing and growth consultancy called SdismDigital.
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Meghan Cline has joined the National Pork Producers Council as director of policy communications, based in Washington. Cline most recently served as the director of communications for JBS USA and Pilgrim's. Before that, she served as the press secretary and communications director at Senate Ag under Sen. Pat Roberts.
Aimpoint Research has added Jon Doggett to its executive advisory group. Doggett most recently retired as the CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. In his career, Doggett served as the lead lobbyist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, working on issues related to ethanol, climate change, land use, conservation, and endangered species. He also worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association's Public Lands Council and served as senior legislative assistant for former Rep. Ron Marlenee, R-Mont.
Alejandro Gomez has been hired to be a staff assistant for Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif. He previously was an intern in the office of Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas.
John Chiang and Dave Puglia joined the Public Policy Institute of California’s (PPIC) board of directors. Chiang served as California’s state treasurer from 2015 to 2018. He is also a member of the board of directors for Apollo Medical Holdings. Puglia serves as president and CEO of Western Growers.
The California Natural Resources Agency has announced the membership of the agency’s 2023-2024 30x30 Partnership Coordinating Committee. The members include: Ana Alvarez, East Bay Regional Park District; Jun Bando, California Native Plant Society; Luke Basulto, National Parks Conservation Association; Annie Burke, TOGETHER Bay Area; Danielle Chi, Bureau of Land Management; Jenn Eckerle, Ocean Protection Council; Katie Hawkins, Outdoor Alliance; Sophia Lemmo, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts; Daniel O'Connell, Central Valley Partnership; Devin O'Dea, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers; Kay Ogden, Eastern Sierra Land Trust; Analise Rivero, CalTrout; Juan Rosas, Hispanic Access Foundation; Melanie Schlotterbeck, Hills for Everyone; Geneva E.B. Thompson, California Natural Resources Agency; Julie Turrini, Resources Legacy Fund; and Kirk Wilbur, California Cattlemen's Association.
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