Articles by Lydia Johnson

The International Fresh Produce Association has named Jessica Keller vice president of global industry relations, and the Pear Bureau Northwest hired CarrieAnn Ariasas president and CEO.

The International Fresh Produce Association appolinte Jessica Keller;as vice president of global industry relations. Filling the newly-created role, Keller is asked to grow member value globally and lead implementation of IFPA’s global portfolio. She was chief operating officer at Food Hall Co. and earlier worked at Whole Foods Market for 16 years.

Former President Trump’s pick of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate makes it clear: The GOP ticket will be running on an America First agenda this fall.

North Carolina Republican Rep. David Rouzer says the Biden administration’s “waters of the U.S.” rule could be vulnerable due to the Supreme Court’s recent overruling of the Chevron doctrine, which had given federal agencies authority interpret the laws passed by Congress.

The American Pistachio Growers tapped Zachary Fraser as president and CEO. Before joining the associaiton, he led a career in sports media, most recently leading LEARFIELD's Fresno State athletics property. Invariant added Nathan Yanez to staff as a manager. Previously, he was a senior account executive at the California-based Lucas Public Affairs focused on biotechnology and the environment.Anna Claire Stietenroth joined the office of Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., as a legislative assistant. She will work on the agriculture, food, animals, transportation and public works portfolio areas.

The International Dairy Foods Association has announced three staff promotions Andrew Jerome to vice president of communications, Jessica Matsko to manager of executive office and special projects and Victoria Pender to manager of events and programs. The Food Research Action Center named Crystal FitzSimons as interim president, succeeding former interim president Kelly Horton who began that position in April. Syngenta hired Susan Luke former director of global issues and crisis communication for Bayer’s crop science division as a senior communications manager for Syngenta U.S. Crop Protection and corporate communications.

The National Turkey Federation made two staff changes: Dale Nellor was selected as senior vice president of government affairs and Taya Machado joined the staff as marketing manager. David Chavern has departed as president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association. He will join the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) as the organization’s leader, succeeding Susan Neely who previously led the American Beverage Association. Three new directors were elected to serve on the Farm Foundation Board.

Some agricultural groups are supporting the City and County of San Francisco's Supreme Court challenge to EPA water quality standards.