Faith Parum has joined the American Farm Bureau Federation as an economist. She was previously an economist in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She earned a doctorate from Texas A&M University and completed two internships with USDA.
Wayne Stoskopf was promoted to senior director of public policy for risk management and legislative strategy at the National Corn Growers Association. He has been with NCGA for five years, recently in a director role. Stoskopf earlier worked for the Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans on commodities, crop insurance, dairy and grain standards issues.
The National Corn Growers Association's Corn Board elected Matt Frostic first vice president. He grows corn, soybeans, edible beans and sugar beets in east-central Michigan, along with finishing beef cattle. Frostic is an NCGA board member who serves as liaison to the production and sustainability action team and the Animal Ag Alliance. His term will begin at the change of fiscal year October 1 at the same time Jed Bower of Ohio becomes NCGA president. In October 2026 Bower will become board chair and Frostic will be president.
Matt Frostic (NCGA photo)Brian Arata departed from the personal office of House Ag Committee Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., where he was legislative director. He has been with the office since 2021. Arata is now a special assistant to the National Transportation Safety Board.
Robin Bowen joined Elanco as director of U.S. government affairs. She worked at the Plant Based Products Council and Corn Refiners Association for six years, recently as senior vice president of external affairs. Earlier she was director of federal outreach at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.
CropLife America hired Tonya Parish as senior manager of government relations communications. She was communications manager for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and press secretary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources Republicans for then-Chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
Sarah Dean joined PepsiCo as director of global public policy, sustainability reporting and human rights. She was at John Deere 16 years, recently as global public policy manager.
Casey Contres was named chief of staff for Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. He was campaign manager for Mehmet Oz for Senate and chief of staff for Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas.
Indigo hired David Nothman as head of the global biologics business. He was chief operating officer at Unfold Bio and earlier vice president of marketing at Valent U.S.A.
ClearPath hired Anthony DiGrado as a senior manager focused on digital advocacy and public affairs strategies that support the external affairs program and continued stakeholder outreach. DiGrado was director of public affairs at the Plastics Industry Association.
Evergreen Action hired Liya Rechtman as a senior transportation policy lead. She was an environmental protection specialist at the Department of Transportation during the Biden administration and a policy adviser at the California State Transportation Agency.
Mark Purdy joined Merist
Mark Purdy (Meristem photo)em Crop Performance as director of product and portfolio management. His 30-plus years of experience, including as a U.S. Army colonel, includes leading operations and consulting for agriculture and food strategic intelligence firm Aimpoint Research.
Emily Druckman joined the office of Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., as communications director and senior adviser. She was communications director for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Druckman worked for the Renewable Fuels Association and was communications director for Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas.
Casey Velazquez joined the Hershey Co. as manager of sustainability reporting and planning. She worked for Smithfield Foods for five years, recently as sustainability manager.
Alyssa Bretan joined the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation as a confidential assistant. She was member services coordinator and executive assistant for the House Budget Committee Republican staff.
Gevo promoted Lindsay Fitzgerald to chief advocacy and communications officer. She was executive vice president of corporate affairs and vice president of government relations. Fitzgerald also worked for Renewable Energy Group and the National Biodiesel Board.
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Chemical company Atticus hired Scott Kuschmider as vice president of government and industry affairs. He held government affairs positions with Bayer Crop Science and Monsanto. Earlier, he was a House Ag Committee subcommittee staff director.
Sophie Brauns joined Rural Investment to Protect our Environment as a development manager to lead fundraising and partnership efforts. Brauns coordinated the statewide incentive program Maryland Market Money and tracked ag investment outcomes across Latin America with Shared-X.
Ranchland Trust of Kansas hired Jessica Wilkes as its first conservation coordinator. She was a resource conservationist at USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The National Farmers Union announced members of the 2025-2026 National Youth Advisory Council. The group will work closely with education staff to provide support during NFU's annual convention, help plan the next All-States Leadership Summit and complete leadership projects in their states. Individuals include Ruby Sheaffer from Wisconsin, Larahmy Blakley from Oklahoma, and Patrick Olson, Madi Raymond and Brandon Toennies of South Dakota. All will serve one-year terms.
Galynn Beer (Tidal Grow photo)Tidal Grow AgriScience hired Galynn Beer as vice president of global sales. He worked for AgroLiquid for 27 years as national sales manager.
Lot Sixteen hired Allison Smith as a vice president. She was previously deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for environment and natural resources. She also was deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore.
The Carbon Removal Alliance named Chris Bowman director of government affairs. He was senior professional staff member for Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Democrats.
Tara Rothschild is the new Republican staff director for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee Environment Subcommittee. She has been a professional staff member on the House Energy and Commerce committee since 2014.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Democrats hired Eden Alem as deputy communications director. She worked at Climate Power as national press secretary.
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, which represents more than 700 leaders in food and agribusiness, announced six individuals to be honored as 2025 Young Leaders in Agribusiness. The group will be recognized at the Council’s summer social July 10:
Taylor Adcock, Roots and Legacies Inc.
Emily Cowley, Bayer Crop Science
Shayna DeGroot, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers
Glenn Gibson, Dairy Farmers of America
Alison Rasmussen, AdFarm
Lucas Simmer, Livestock Marketing Association
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges selected 15 students for the seventh cohort of FFAR veterinary student research fellows. During the year-long program, participants will engage in hands-on research that prepares them for careers in animal science and public service. They are:
Donnie Alverson, Oregon State University
Victoria Houser, Tufts-Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Cailin Karotkin, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
Regina Kurandina, University of Minnesota
Jeselle-Ann Laxa, Western University of Health Sciences
Kara Linder, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Yimeng Lu, Western University of Health Sciences
Nathan Maizels, Long Island University
Francisco Benitez Merle, Universidad Ana G. Méndez School of Veterinary Medicine in Puerto Rico
Hanna Meyer, Washington State University
Luis Ochoa, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
Ainslie Reynolds, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Lauren Robinson, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Yasmeen Patnaik, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Jade Wilkinson, Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine
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