Matthew Jaffe has been named acting assistant U.S. trade representative for trade policy coordination. He will lead the U.S. Trade Representative’s interagency authority in developing and coordinating implementation of American trade policy. Jaffe was most recently senior associate general counsel in USTR’s Office of General Counsel. He replaces Laura Buffo.
The American Soybean Association promoted Blair Shipp to state policy communications manager. She joined ASA in 2020 and was most recently a coordinator. Shipp focuses on developing policy updates for ASA members and other stakeholders, including contributing to the eBean weekly electronic newsletter, Ag on the Mall event and annual Commodity Classic.
The National 4-H Council hired Natalie Godwin as vice president of corporate communications. She brings diverse experience to the nation’s largest youth development organization from NASA, General Motors, UPS, Hilton and Lowe’s. Godwin is based in Charlotte, N.C.
Natalie Godwin, National 4-H CouncilThe Meat Institute elected officers, executive board members and board of directors for 2025. Hormel Foods CEO James Snee was elected chairman. He has been a board member since 2017 and an officer since 2022. Peter Bozzo of Michael’s Finer Meats & Seafood was elected vice chairman; Jon Amidei, COO of Swaggarty’s Farm, secretary; and Randy Huffman, Maple Leaf Foods, treasurer. Eric Gustafson of Coast Packing Co., is immediate past chairman.
Corteva appointed Judd O’Connor as executive vice president of its seed business unit Dec. 1. He succeeds Tim Glenn, who will transition to strategic adviser to the executive leadership team until retiring in first quarter 2025. O’Connor has worked at Corteva for 25 years, most recently leading North American business.
The Senate Ag Committee's top Republican, John Boozman of Arkansas, named Matthew Webster communications director in the senator's personal office. Webster has worked in Boozman's personal office since 2015, recently as press secretary/digital media coordinator.
The National Chicken Council has elected officers. Bill Griffith, chief operations officer at Peco Foods, will be 2024-2025 chairman. He brings more than 25 years of experience from Peco, Keystone Foods U.S., Perdue Foods and Tyson Foods. Other officers are David Jackson, chief operating officer of Simmons Foods, vice chairman, and Kevin McDaniel, chief operating officer at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, secretary-treasurer. Gary Kushner will continue as interim president after replacing Mike Brown, who left the position over the summer.
At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Kevin McDaniel will become CEO next April 1. He has more than three decades in leadership roles with Aviagen North America, OK Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. He is on the board of the US Poultry & Egg Association as well as NCC. Current CEO Clint Rivers will retire in March 2025 and continue serving on the company board.
Morgan Beach was promoted to government affairs lead at Nestlé Purina North America. Based in St. Louis, Beach led issues and crisis communications for the company and previously worked for the Pet Food Institute, National Milk Producers Federation and Farm Credit Council.
Sheldon Jones joined the Arizona Department of Agriculture as deputy director for programs. He previously worked at the Soil Health Institute, Farm Foundation and both Colorado and Arizona state departments of agriculture.
The Consumer Brands Association hired Melissa Hockstad as its next leader. Hockstad was recently president and CEO of the American Cleaning Institute and has been in leadership roles with the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and Plastics Industry Association. CBA’s past leader, David Chavern, left in August to lead the American Council of Life Insurers.
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Melissa Hockstad, Consumer Brands AssociationUnited Dairymen of Arizona appointed Craig Caballero chief executive officer. He was interim CEO. Caballero has moved through the ranks from a co-op member to serving as board chairman for the past seven years.
The Sorghum Checkoff announced 17 farmers from nine states for the VII Leadership Sorghum Class. From Kansas: Jared Stegman of Dodge City, Lesley Schmidt of Spearville, Sydney Bacon of Salina and Weston Schmidt of Syracuse. From Texas: Carson Polasek of Tynan, Daniel Sell of Booker, Heath Heinrich of Slaton, Matthew Bartek of La Grange, Reagan Ivey of Robstown and Will Braack of Hereford. Additional participants are Nicholas Bridgeforth of Tanner, Ala.; Dylan Moyer from Irvington, Ill.; Bryan Thomas of St. Charles, Mo.; Camden Liska of Verdigre, Neb.; Brian Null from Hobart, Okla.; Kyle Supplee, Thompsontown, Pa., and David Gunter of Lexington, S.C. The group will combine experience and classroom-style learning to gain insight into the sorghum value chain, and the role of checkoffs and advocacy groups in supporting the industry and its future.
Precision ag solutions company Sentera tapped Joe Walsh as chief growth officer to lead expansion of an aerial precision herbicide application. Walsh has worked at Bayer, The Climate Corp. and Monsanto.
Tiffany Erickson joined the Irrigation Association as brand, engagement and growth vice president. She will lead brand presence, member engagement and business growth. Erickson brings more than 15 years of experience to the IA, including working for the American Counseling Association, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and recently as executive vice president of strategic communications at Forum for Youth Investment.
Marion Ag Service hired Dan Dumler as director of sales and distribution. With 30 years of industry experience, he will lead sales growth objectives. A native Oregonian, his career has included roles in agronomy, account management and managing regional sales in the West. He will be based in Colorado.
The Rural Investment to Protect our Environment added Brandon Hunnicutt and Loston Rowe to its board of directors. Hunnicutt is a Nebraska farmer who has been involved with Field to Market and the Nebraska On-Farm Research project. Rowe was raised on a family farm in Mississippi and recently served as interim director of the National Black Growers Council.
Larry K. Anderson died on Oct. 13. He was 79. Anderson began a career in journalism and retired in 2012 from AgStar (Compeer) Financial Services after a career in rural development in Minnesota. He had 40 years as a board member at United Hospital District, Blue Earth, Minn., and was vice president of Rural Housing Preservation Associates. His funeral was Oct. 21.
Former Minnesota U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan died on Oct. 18. He was 80. Nolan represented two of Minnesota’s congressional districts in Washington during stints 30 years apart. The Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor party described Nolan as a “champion for the Northland who fought fiercely to protect working people from corporate interests.” His services will be Saturday.
Scott Braswell, third generation CEO of Braswell Family Farms, died Oct. 15. He was 68. Braswell took leadership in the family company in 1991 and led the specialty eggs and feed firm through growth, including sustainable farming, diversifying products and positioning it to meet consumer demands. Scott’s son, Services will be Saturday in Nashville, N.C.
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