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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.

Every summer, the next generation of staffers, analysts, lobbyists and communications specialists comes to D.C. This is the second part of two-part series on the interns in congressional offices and farm-related organizations in Washington this summer.

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.

Each summer, a new generation of aspiring staffers, analysts, lobbyists and communications specialists floods the offices of farm-related organizations and congressional offices. While in Washington, many interns participate in the Ag Intern network – facilitated by CropLife America – to attend "lunch learn" sessions, workshops and networking events.

The United Soybean Board has announced new members of its management team, and CropLife America and Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) have made staff changes.

The Washington Apple Commission has tapped Michael Schadler as president. A University of Washington graduate, Schadler has been executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange and coordinated international marketing programs for the Florida Department of Citrus.

Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary of agriculture for food, nutrition and consumer services, will step down from her position in July. She led the Biden administration's update of the Thrifty Food Plan and was nominated twice to be undersecretary but the Senate returned her nomination both times.

Dan Durheim has been tapped as chief operating officer for the California Farm Bureau. He was most recently assistant vice president of sponsor relations at Nationwide Insurance.