The California Pork Producers Association named Mackenzie Bressler as executive director to lead efforts supporting California’s pork producers and strengthening the state’s pork industry. Bressler most recently served as external relations director at Chico State’s College of Agriculture and previously served as a digital marketing manager at Farmers Communications Exchange.
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners named Kristi McKenney as the port’s new executive director. She succeeds Danny Wan, who will retire Feb. 28. McKenney first joined the p ort as an environmental planner and has since held various positions, including most recently as chief operating officer since 2020. She will be the first woman to serve as executive director in the Port of Oakland’s 98-year history.
Kristi McKenneyAshley Boles rejoined CropLife America as legal counsel. She was recently an attorney-adviser at USDA and previously was counsel at CLA for four years.
California Gov. Gavin Newson appointed Karen Morrison as director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Morrison previously worked at CalRecycle as a policy adviser and was a deputy director and science adviser at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Andrea Travnicek has been nominated as assistant secretary of the interior for water and science. She previously worked in the cabinet of then-North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, now secretary of the interior. Travnicek was deputy assistant secretary of land and minerals management during Trump's first term.
California Democratic Rep. Josh Harder’s former communications director Jen Fox joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network as associate director of federal media advocacy. She worked on Capitol Hill for nearly a decade.
Mason Justice was promoted to legislative assistant in the office of Oregon Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz covering agriculture, food and animal issues. Justice has been with the office for a year and previously worked for Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark.
Former House Natural Resources Committee Democratic staffers launched a communications and lobbying firm: Snyder Gressard Strategy. Lora Snyder and Lindsay Gressard served as the staff director and communications director, respectively, for the committee under the leadership of ranking member Raúl Grijalva of Arizona.
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The National Oilseed Processors Association hired Ryan Locke as vice president of engagement. He worked for Nutrien Ag Solutions as director of sustainability partnerships and business development and previously held roles at Bayer, Novozymes and Syngenta.
The Department of Energy hired Emery Washington as deputy press secretary. She previously held top communications positions in President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and in the office of Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., made changes to the communications staff in his personal office. Michael Finan is press secretary. He was previously communications director for Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. Trenton Armstrong joined the staff as digital director. He was previously creative director for Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.
FMI - The Food Industry Association named new executive committee members. Craig Boyan of H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas, was selected as chairman. Additional officers include Leslie G. Sarasin of FMI as president and CEO, Brian George of Alex Lee Inc. as immediate past chairman, and Oscar Gonzalez of Northgate Gonzalez Market as vice chairman.
Cornerstone Government Affairs added Prescott Martin to the government relations team. Martin was formerly deputy general counsel at USDA.
Will Bensur left the office of Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, where he served as press secretary. Bensur joined Firehouse Strategies as a vice president.
Tom Brandt left the office of Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, where he had been communications director and deputy chief of staff. Brandt joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a communications professional.
The National Council of Far
Chuck Connermer Cooperatives elected Kevin Brinkley, president and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, as chairman. He succeeds Jay Debertin of CHS. Tom Astrup of American Crystal Sugar Co. was named vice chair. Chuck Conner continues as president until he retires at the end of the year; Marlis Carson remains secretary/treasurer.
Travis Martinez joined Land O’Lakes as government relations manager. He was previously legislative director for Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and recently was the agriculture legislative assistant for Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
House Budget Committee Republicans named Evan Dixon communications director. Dixon was vice president of communications at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions and before that, press secretary for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan hired Joe Byrnes as a policy adviser covering energy, public lands and natural resources. He was previously legislative liaison at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall hired Mary Kirchner as scheduling director. Kirchner previously worked at TAG Strategies LLC and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Colin Diersing joined the staff of Texas Democratic Rep. Greg Casar as communications director. Diersing previously worked as a communications aide on the Kamala Harris presidential campaign and for the American Bridge 21st Century political action committee.
Craig Roberts, former chief of staff to Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., for his full 24 years in office, died recently. Roberts was a senior vice president at Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies, which announced his death without further information. “He has mentored literally hundreds of staff who are mourning his loss,” colleagues wrote in a post.
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