Marc DeBernardi was named the 2024-25 California Ag Educator of the Year and the Golden Owl Award recipient. She is an agriculture educator and FFA adviser at Santa Maria High School. Along with recognition at the California FFA State Leadership Conference, she received a $3,000 donation to support ag education at her school. Additional finalists included: Carrie Phillips from Altaville-Bret Harte FFA, Lori Porter of Livermore FFA, Vernon Clark of Bakersfield-Foothill FFA, Krystal Thomas of San Marcos FFA and Jim Shanks of Dorris Butte Valley FFA. 
Marc DeBernardi (California Farm Bureau photo)
Scott Marboe, a dedicated voice in the Northwest tree fruit industry, died after a battle with cancer. He spent 39 years working in various roles shaping the industry domestically and abroad with CMI Orchards, Starr Ranch Growers, and the Oneonta Trading Corporation. “His wisdom and integrity earned him deep respect, and his contributions to organizations like the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Pear Bureau Northwest, will be felt for years to come,” CMI Orchards said in a statement. “Beyond his professional achievements, Scott was known for his generosity, kindness and remarkable sense of humor.” After his semi-retirement in 2021, Scott and his wife, Maribeth, moved to Phoenix, Arizona. A celebration of Scott's life will be held on May 10, 2025, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club in East Wenatchee, Washington.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., hired Eduardo Carrizosa as communications director. He was press secretary in the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Kaitlyn Heddinger was promoted to digital director/press secretary. She has been with Klobuchar since 2023.
The Department of Interior named Andrew Williams deputy director of congressional affairs in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. He worked for the Senate Western Caucus and was Senate Environment and Public Works Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee staff director.
Eocene Environmental Group hired Laura Bachmeier as a livestock specialist. She was business development director of meat at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and earlier director of pork quality and safety at the National Pork Board.
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Jeremy Symons launched the Center for Energy & Environmental Analysis, a nonpartisan think tank. He has been a principal at Symons Public Affairs and worked for the Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Protection Agency, National Wildlife Federation and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
OurEnergyPolicy promoted Jordan Crowe to senior director of policy and programs. He was a program director. Crowe was a trade policy coordinator at the U.S. Grains Council.
The Family Farm Alliance named Samantha Barncastle executive director effective Nov. 1. The New Mexico farmer and attorney has 17 years experience in water and natural resources policy and litigation at the state and federal levels. She worked at two water law firms in Las Cruces, New Mexico, before launching her own practice, Barncastle Law Firm, in 2014. “I hope to work with other industries and interests to preserve our Western way of life, while also economically and safely feeding America,” Barncastle said in a statement. She will begin transitioning into the new role in August before assuming full responsibilities after current Executive Director Dan Keppen steps down after the 2025 annual conference in Reno, Nevada.
Samantha Barncastle (Family Farm Alliance photo)The House Agriculture Committee Republican staff hired Josh Stull as a professional staff member covering rural development and energy. He was stakeholder affairs officer at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. He also was vice president for policy and analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation.
House Ag Committee member Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., hired Daniel Dziadon as deputy chief of staff. He was Republican staff director for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee's Energy Subcommittee.
Justin Rhee joined the Department of Interior as a special adviser to Secretary Doug Burgum. He was a professional staff member on the House Natural Resources Committee Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee. Earlier in his career, Rhee worked for The Heritage Foundation.
Hilmar named Greg Schlafer as CEO. He previously was CEO of Foremost Farms USA and president of Lamb Weston. He worked at General Mills for over 20 years. He has served on the board of directors of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation.
The American Conservation Coalition announced new staff members. Vale Sloane was named major gifts officer. He was vice president of development for the Federalist Society. Sam Kessler was named senior government affairs manager. He was a congressional fellow in the office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., from the Climate Solutions Foundation focused on supporting market-based policy solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation challenges. Additional new staff members include Alina Clough as strategic communications program manager and Patrick Burland as digital communications manager.
The Tire Recycling Foundation named Stephanie Mull executive director. Mull was recently a senior sustainability senior manager at PepsiCo focused on PFNA fleet decarbonization.
Olivia Rinesmith was promoted to marketing strategist at Stratovation Group. She has been with the company for a year, most recently as a marketing specialist. Rinesmith studied agricultural communications at The Ohio State University.
Ellen Lupkes (WFPF photo)The World Food Prize Foundation hired Ellen Lupkes as senior manager of global youth programs and partnerships focused on the Global Youth Institute and Iowa Youth Institute. An Iowa native and Iowa State University graduate, Lupkes was team lead at AgriCorps in Ghana and program facilitator in Liberia.
TopSoe hired Scott Shiller as head of U.S. federal affairs. He was a principal at Padron USA and earlier was legislative director for now-EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin when he was a member of Congress. Shiller also worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Clear Path named Campbell Fain chief financial officer. He was previously senior financial manager at R Street Institute and controller at the National Republican Senatorial Committee .
Yanmar Compact Equipment named Anna Christine Sgro president of the North American region. She has held senior executive roles at Volvo Construction Equipment, Strongco Equipment, and Ritchie Bros.
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