Jayson Penn is the new CEO of Foster Farms. He will replace Donnie Smith, who announced his retirement. Penn most recently was the CEO of John Soules Foods. He also served as the CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride after the retirement of Bill Lovette.
Chuck McDaniel has been appointed as the next president and COO of Case Foods. McDaniel most recently was the vice president of account management for Agri-Stats. Brian Roberts was also tapped to be the chief commercial officer. He has been with Case since 2016 and most recently was the vice president of sales and marketing.
Gary Martin has announced he will retire as president and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association after serving 24 years at the helm. Alejandra Danielson Castillo will succeed Martin at the end of the month. Castillo works for the U.S. Grains Council, where she is the manager of global trade. Before that, she worked for Cargill.
Diego González, Port of OaklandThe Port of Oakland has appointed Diego González as government affairs manager. He had been the acting manager for the last six months. Before that, he was a port governmental affairs field representative.
John Toner is a business development executive for the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. He previously worked at Produce Business Magazine as vice president. Before that, he served 23 years with the International Fresh Produce Association.
Melissa Willhouse is the new communications manager for the Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE). She has previously worked for the American Clean Power Association and Truth Initiative. She currently is a freelance photographer and an adjunct faculty member of Unity Environmental University.
Kristin Sleeper has moved to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as a professional staff member for Ranking Member John Barrasso, R-Wyoming. She previously was a professional staff member on the House Agriculture Committee for Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.
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Patrick Carroll has left Capitol Hill after serving for 21 years. He most recently was a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. He will be taking time off before announcing his next job.
Elizabeth Rivera has left the office of Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. The California native, has been on the Senate Ag Committee staff since 2020 and most recently was her deputy press secretary.
McDonald’s has announced the retirement of its board member Enrique Hernandez, who was elected as the non-executive chairman in 2016. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski will take on Hernandez's position as chairman.
Lyndon Smith has been named the new chairman of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council. Smith is the CEO of Huma, previously known as Bio Huma Netics Inc., the company works to offer natural solutions and biostimulants for the world.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has elected Carl Ray Polk Jr. as the new president. He succeeds Arthur Uhl in the leadership role. Additionally, Stephen Diebel was named first vice president and Dan Gattis was elected as second vice president.
Tamara Hinton has left Story Partners, where she was the senior vice president.
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