Tuesday was John Newton's last day as the chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee under ranking member John Boozman of Arkansas. Newton has not announced his next career move.
After 13 years, Lisa Humphreys’ time at the United Soybean Board came to an “unexpected and abrupt halt,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post Sunday. Humphreys created the U.S. Soy brand – the organization’s first externally facing brand – during her time with the group. She also developed the checkoff’s first data-informed soy reputation and acceleration strategy.
The U.S. Grains Council has added staff and made multiple promotions. Burhan Chaudhry joined the council’s staff as an accounting coordinator. A recent Virginia Tech graduate, Chaudhry will support the finance team. Juan Diaz has transitioned to the council’s regional deputy director for Latin America. He joined the group as a regional ethanol consultant and will now oversee and plan USGC's programming in the region. Sam Clemence was promoted to senior global strategies coordinator where he will lead the onboarding of council coordinators. He has served as global strategies coordinator since 2019. Lucas Rudy will assume the title of manager of global programs focused on Asia. He joined USGC in 2023 as global programs coordinator and previously interned at the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. Sam Redfern is transitioning to manager of global programs focused on Latin America and Mexico. He joined the group earlier this year as a global ethanol programs coordinator.
Bob Petersen will retire from Petersen Consulting, the firm he founded in 2004. Erica Venancio, the firm’s senior executive, will assume leadership of the firm. Additionally, recent Princeton University graduate Zachary Helder will join the firm to focus on agriculture, public policy, and organizational management.
Bob PetersenThe Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership named Joel Pedersen as president and CEO. He will assume the position Sept. 1. Pedersen was most recently president and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation and has experience in biological administration, hunting access program management, conservation planning, and federal and state legislative strategy.
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Fifth-generation farmer Blaine Groth joined Continuum Ag as vice president of sales. He brings a background in agricultural sales to support farmers in adding value to customers through navigating the 45Z credit and starting their soil health journey.
Morgan Craven was promoted to director of programs and events at the Farm Foundation. She has been with the organization for nearly nine years, most recently as senior manager of events.
Matt Holt is the new dean of the Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. He was most recently a professor and Agriculture and Applied Economics department head at Virginia Tech.
The Consumer Brands Association’s top Democratic lobbyist, Kaadé Wallace, has left the organization. Wallace is now with Federal Street Strategies.
Samantha Ayoub joined the American Farm Bureau Federation full-time as an associate economist. A recent Colorado State University graduate, Ayoub has held internships with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Christensen Farms, one of the largest family-owned pork producers in the U.S., named Greg Howard president and CEO. Glenn Stolt will retire after 14 years with the company and 12 years at the helm. Additionally, Shane Steffensen has been named vice president and chief financial officer at the company.
Brooke Bennett Kratina joined Martinez Media and Marketing Group as an account supervisor. She has previously worked for Osborn Barr Paramore.
BP America tapped David Woodruff as vice president and head of policy advocacy. He joins the energy company from CN Railway where he led U.S. public and government affairs.
Ben Travlos has been hired as director of policy for the Missouri Soybean Association. He was previously the director of state and local legislative affairs at the Missouri Farm Bureau and has also held positions with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Corn Growers Association.
Ben Travlos, Missouri Soybean Association
Vive Crop Protection announced leadership changes. Lana Green joined the organization as a national account manager leading Vive’s distribution network in the United States. She previously worked at FMC, Syngenta and Winfield United. Steve Eskelsen was hired as a northern technical sales agronomist in the northern U.S. He will oversee agronomic recommendations, data generation, and training while working closely with growers, retailers, and key influencers. Additionally, Greg Esco has been promoted to National Sales Manager and Jonathan Adamson to Regional Account Manager.
Billie Lenta joined Legacy Cooperative as a marketing, communications and recruitment manager. She previously worked for John Deere and Gooseneck Implement.
Bryn Jensson was promoted to director of corporate EHS development at Smithfield Foods. She was most recently the company’s West corporate safety director for hog production. Before joining Smithfield, Jensson worked at the National Pork Board for eight years.
Bill Parsons joined Americans for a Clean Energy Grid as chief advocacy officer. He was previously with the American Clean Power Association as senior vice president and political director.
Michael Del Pozzo, a former PepsiCo executive, was named president of U.S. confection at Hershey. He will oversee the Kisses, Reese’s and Jolly Rancher brands. Del Pozzo is succeeding Charles Raup, who is retiring from Hershey after 15 years.
Maurice Johnson, husband of Iowa farmer and former National Corn Growers President Pam Johnson, passed away after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 74. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City.
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