Edward Wengryn has been selected to serve as the next New Jersey secretary of agriculture. He replaces Douglas Fisher, who retired as secretary last June after holding the position for 14 years. Joe Atchison III has served as interim secretary of agriculture since that time. Wengryn is a 20-year veteran of the New Jersey Farm Bureau. Since 2009, Wengryn has represented the private agriculture sector on the New Jersey Industry Advisory Council at the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Edward Wengryn, New Jersey Department of AgricultureLeslee Oden has been tapped as the next president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation. She will take over the role in July, when current President and CEO Joel Brandenberger retires after heading the organization for 17 years. Oden has been with NTF for the last 15 years, first joining as an intern. She most recently was the senior vice president of legislative affairs in 2018.Gary Martin has announced he will retire as president and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association after serving 24 years at the helm. Alejandra Danielson Castillo will succeed Martin at the end of the month. Castillo works for the U.S. Grains Council, where she is the manager of global trade. Before that, she worked for Cargill.
Jayson Penn is the new CEO of Foster Farms. He will replace Donnie Smith, who announced his retirement. Penn most recently was the CEO of John Soules Foods. He also served as the CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride after the retirement of Bill Lovette.
Chuck McDaniel has been appointed as the next president and COO of Case Foods. McDaniel most recently was the vice president of account management for Agri-Stats. Brian Roberts was also tapped to be the chief commercial officer. He has been with Case since 2016 and most recently was the vice president of sales and marketing.
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The Port of Oakland has appointed Diego González as government affairs manager. He had been the acting manager for the last six months. Before that, he was a port governmental affairs field representative.
John Toner is a business development executive for the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. He previously worked at Produce Business Magazine as vice president. Before that, he served 23 years with the International Fresh Produce Association.
Melissa Willhouse is the new communications manager for Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE). She has previously worked for the American Clean Power Association and Truth Initiative. She currently is a freelance photographer and an adjunct faculty member of Unity Environmental University.
Diego González, Port of OaklandKristin Sleeper has moved to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as a professional staff member for Ranking Member John Barrasso, R-Wyo. She previously was a professional staff member on the House Agriculture Committee for Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.Patrick Carroll has left Capitol Hill after 21 years. He most recently was a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. He will be taking time off before announcing his next job.
Elizabeth Rivera has left the office of Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. The California native, has been on the Senate Ag Committee staff since 2020 and most recently was Stabenow's deputy press secretary.
McDonald’s has announced the retirement of board member Enrique Hernandez, who was elected as the non-executive chairman in 2016. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski will take on Hernandez's position as chairman.
Lyndon Smith has been named the new chairman of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council. Smith is the CEO of Huma, previously known as Bio Huma Netics Inc.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has elected Carl Ray Polk Jr. as its new president. He succeeds Arthur Uhl in the leadership role. Additionally, Stephen Diebel was named first vice president and Dan Gattis was elected as second vice president.
Tamara Hinton has left Story Partners, where she was the senior vice president.
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