U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action elected five new members to its board of directors and named a new executive committee for the coming year. Those elected to the board include Randall Dodds, senior vice president and general merchandising manager for Tractor Supply Co.; Tina Jennen, executive director of Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (People) of the Lake Traverse Reservation in North and South Dakota; Terry Quam, a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, who runs Wisconsin-based Marda Angus Farms; Chad Schooley, a director with South Dakota Soybean, and family operator of Cabin Still Cattle Co. in Castlewood, South Dakota; and Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist for CoBank.
USFRA also named a new executive team. Michael Crinion, managing director at Valley View Dairy, was elected chair representing Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. Other elected officers include Chip Bowling of the Maryland Grain Producers Association as vice chair and treasurer, Doug Berven of POET as secretary and Julie Fussner of Culver’s. Marilyn Hershey of Dairy Management Inc. will move into the role of immediate past chair.
Tom Schultz, former director of the Idaho Department of Lands, was named chief of the USDA Forest Service. He was appointed chief of staff for Natural Resources and Environment at USDA in January. The chief is responsible for the management of 154 national forests and 20 grasslands across 43 states, totaling 193 million acres of public land. Schultz succeeds Randy Moore, who cited 'significant transformation' of the government in a note to employees announcing his departure. Moore served the department for more than four decades. “I have been silent these last few weeks because these decisions are being made at a level above our organization, and I was and am learning about the changes at the same time as many of you,” Moore wrote. “Our focus now is on how we respond and adapt to new priorities and continue delivering on our mission with the workforce we have.”
Libby Schneider, former aide to U.S. senators from North Dakota, was named deputy executive director of the Democratic National Committee. Schneider has been on the DNC staff since 2019, first as rural political director and, since 2021 in other senior positions, including chief of staff. She managed the 2018 campaign of former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and was ag legislative assistant in her Senate office. She was a staff assistant to former Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.
The World Food Prize Foundation hired Zach Clemens as senior manager of communications focused on media relations and outreach. Clemens was a reporter in Colorado and Des Moines and worked for Iowa State University as a communications specialist.
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy elected Dennis Rodenbaugh board chair. He is president and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America.
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The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Democratic staff hired Jasmine Dimitriou as staff director. She was deputy chief of staff to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Dimitriou also worked for Illinois Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin.
Zach Clemens (World Food Prize photo)Joanna Rodriguez joined the National Republican Senatorial Committee as communications director. She was previously in top communications roles for Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and the Republican Governors Association.
Kansas Wheat hired Sarah Henry as director of engagement and events. She worked for the National Corn Growers Association and was district director for Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture appointed Suzanne Ryan-Numrich director of its Division of Agriculture Marketing, Advocacy and Outreach. She has spent the last 10 years as the agency’s international trade director. Ryan-Numrich was on the USDA Technical Advisory Committee for Animals and Animal Products.
Elena Radding was promoted to communications director in the office of Senate Ag Committee member Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. She has been with the office since 2022.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund hired Drew Robertson as a senior regulatory specialist. Robertson was previously legislative counsel for Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa.
Sonny Ramaswamy has retired as president of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Its board appointed Jeff Fox, president emeritus of the College of Southern Idaho, as interim president during the search for a permanent president. Ramaswamy was director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture during the Obama administration.
Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., named Will Barry communications director. He was communications director for the House Financial Services Committee under Chair French Hill, R-Ark.
FTI Consulting expanded its food and agribusiness practice by hiring Lauren Chupp as senior managing director in corporate finance and recruiting. She was a partner/principal and Americas food and agribusiness sector co-lead for Ernst & Young’s Parthenon Strategy practice. She also worked for The Context Network, a consultancy focused on agriculture.
Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis., named Kalyn Swihart legislative assistant covering agriculture, food and animals. She was previously senior legislative assistant for Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah.
Lauren Chupp, FTI Consulting (Photo: FTI Consulting)Regenerative agriculture consulting firm Understanding Ag, based in Republic, Missouri, named Burke Teichert managing partner and Jim West director of operations. Teichert brings extensive cattle management experience to the team.
Mitch Heidenreich joined the office of Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., as legislative director. He was senior legislative assistant for Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Bill Dauster joined the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Democratic staff as senior counsel. He had been deputy staff director for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
House Ag Committee member Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., promoted Max Seltzer to legislative director. Seltzer has recently been his senior legislative assistant.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., made staff changes. Joe Tesfaye was hired as legislative assistant covering agriculture, food, energy and environment. He worked for Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., as a legislative assistant. Additionally, Molly Dwyer was promoted to legislative assistant covering animal issues. She was previously a legislative correspondent.
Anaïs Borja joined the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as energy policy director. She previously worked for Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., as a senior policy adviser.
Senate Ag Committee member Deb Fischer, R-Neb., made staff promotions. Craig Berning was promoted to senior policy adviser on agriculture, food, public lands and energy. Sidney Kucera was promoted to legislative aide; she has been with the office for two years.
Alyssa LaTray joined the office of Rep. Emily Randall, D-Wash., as a legislative assistant for agriculture, food and public lands. She was a legislative assistant for Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.
Stephen Richardson is now scheduler in the personal office of House Ag Committee Ranking Member, Angie Craig, D-Minn. He was a staff assistant before being promoted.
Senate Ag Committee member Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., promoted Camille Anders to deputy press secretary. She was previously a press assistant. Juliette Traweek joined the staff as scheduler. She was previously director for Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah.
Sara Robertson’s tenure as communications director for House Ag and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee member Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has ended. Robertson is now press secretary for the House Education and the Workforce Committee.
Former American Sheep Industry Association President Guy Flora of Cardington, Ohio, died at home Feb. 25. He was 89. Flora was a co-founder of Sheep and Farm Life, a magazine to support families in the sheep industry, and co-published The Shepherd magazine for 22 years.
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