CropLife America has filled multiple roles on its communications team. Annemarie Pender, former communications director at the National Pork Producers Council, will lead communications for the farm chemical trade association. She has worked in communications for Autos Drive America, Global Automakers and Honda. Shirley Fan joined CLA as manager of communications focused on science policy and regulatory issues. She worked at the Environmental Protection Agency for 15 years as an environmental scientist and recently as a public affairs specialist. Khya Nelson was hired as manager of communications focused on government relations. She worked on Capitol Hill for two years, recently as a legislative aide.
CropLife also elected new board members. Rahoul Sawani, president of North America commercial at Corteva Agriscience, was named vice chair and an officer. Wade Firestone of HELM Crop Solutions was elected a board member, and Douglas A. Kaye III of American Vanguard was named a board and executive committee member.
Landus President and CEO Matt Carstens abruptly stepped down April 4. “Matt has been a dedicated and forward-thinking leader, and we sincerely appreciate the many contributions he made during his tenure with Landus,” said Matt Chambers, chairman of the Des Moines, Iowa-based cooperative. Chambers initially served as acting CEO. On Wednesday, Landus named Executive Vice President of Sales Sam Caton as interim CEO. He will maintain his current responsibilities while also stepping in to fill the CEO role. “We have full faith in his leadership as we start the next chapter at Landus and implement the search to identify our next CEO," Chambers said in the Wednesday release. Landus provided no details about the reason for Carstens' departure in either news release, but Carstens has been under scrutiny on social media about his financial and personal dealings.
Carstens is also no longer with thefinancing company platform Conduit, in which Landus and its farmer owners hold a majority share. Jack Brodshaug, who joined Conduit in November as the executive vice president of sales and marketing, was named interim CEO. "His [Brodshaug's] leadership, combined with his extensive experience in technology development and go-to-market strategy, makes him well-suited to lead Conduit through this transition," Conduit wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing the transition.
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Sydney Lundberg (Combest, Sell photo)Combest, Sell & Associates hired Sydney Lundberg as a staff economist based in Washington. A Texas Tech University graduate, Lundberg worked for the National Sorghum Producers as manager of policy and analysis for more than three years on farm policy, trade policy and domestic markets. She is a licensed crop insurance agent.
National Pork Board CEO Bill Even will leave May 1 after nine years leading the organization. In a news release, NPB says Even will return to his South Dakota farming operation to be closer to family. Alex Wibholm, NPB’s senior vice president of operations, will be interim CEO while the board searches for a replacement. “Thanks to Bill’s dedication, good governance, principled stewardship and high-integrity strategic leadership, NPB is in an excellent position to transition smoothly to a new executive leader," NPB President Al Wulfekuhle said in a statement.
John Hendrix was promoted to legislative assistant on the House Agriculture Committee majority staff focused on credit, conservation, and forestry issues. A Texas A&M University graduate, Hendrix has been with the committee since 2023 as an intern and most recently as a staff assistant.
Michigan Farm Bureau hired Josh Scramlin as associate legislative counsel focused on state-level labor and environmental issues. Scramlin comes to MFB after almost four years with the National Pork Producers Council supporting pig farmers in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan as a regional director of producer services. Hailing from his family’s farm in Oakland County, Michigan, Scramlin began his career as a broadcaster with the Midwest Farm Report in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative named Lauren Baldwin director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement. She previously worked for the Conservative Partnership Institute as a government relations coordinator.
Wayne Wickman is now working on the agriculture portfolio for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as a legislative correspondent. He previously worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a manager of congressional correspondence.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., hired Sarah Muller as a speechwriter. She is rejoining the office after serving as speechwriter and deputy communications director earlier in her career. Most recently, Muller was a speechwriter at the Justice Department.
Pivot Bio hired Travis Frey as chief technology officer to lead global research and development, innovation and science. He worked in executive roles with Cibus, Mindful Care and Calyxt. Based in the company’s Minnesota headquarters, Frey will serve on the executive leadership team, reporting to Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott. He succeeds Ernie Sanders, who retired.
Daniel Dziadon joined the office of Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., as deputy chief of staff. He was Republican staff director for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee's Energy Subcommittee.
Rural Investment to Protect our Environment named Morgan Wrich as coalition and outreach program manager. A Nebraska corn and soybean farmer, Wrich will focus on the farmer advisory network, steering committee and inclusion, diversity, equity and access committees. She was previously a training specialist at RCIS: Rural Community Insurance Services.
Morgan Wrich (RIPE photo)Sen. Eric Schmidt hired Max Seltzer as a legislative assistant covering transportation and commerce. Seltzer was legislative director for House Ag Committee member Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis.
USA Rice hired Airokhsh Faiz Qaisary as manager of compliance and grants administration overseeing USDA Foreign Agricultural Service grants and other programs. She has more than a decade managing multi-million dollar grant programs in Afghanistan and the United States.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., promoted Clara Bradbury to senior legislative assistant covering agriculture and food issues. She has been with the office for two years.
John Clancy King Jr., Arkansas agricultural leader, died April 4. He was 92. A lifelong farmer in Helena, Arkansas, he was on numerous boards including the Arkansas Rice Council, the Cotton Belt Levee Board and as president of the Arkansas Agricultural Council. Services are planned for 10:30 a.m. April 12 at First United Methodist Church in Helena.
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