The Bockorny Group hired John Torres as a principal. He has an extensive background in ag, environment, and life sciences policy, including most recently serving as senior director of federal government relations for agriculture and environment at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Torres also has experience as an adviser to USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative regarding biotech corn issues between the U.S. and Mexico. Earlier in his career, Torres was executive director of the Maryland Farm Bureau and was the director of government and industry affairs for the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.
Spiro Stefanou has stepped down as administrator of the USDA Economic Research Service after five years leading the agency. He was an agricultural economics professor at Pennsylvania State University and earlier a professor of food and resource economics at the University of Florida. “Serving as ERS Administrator has been the most professionally rewarding and important work I have done in my 42-year career,” Stefanou wrote on LinkedIn. “I had the joy of working with curious and serious people on issues impacting the livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, households and rural America.”
J. David Carlin, senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy for the International Dairy Foods Association, will retire at the end of 2025. He joined IDFA in 2014 to lead legislative and political affairs as well as the association’s economic policy work. He’s also held roles with law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP and was a USDA political appointee during the Clinton administration.
J. David Carlin (IDFA photo)Eric Heismeyer joined Landus as chief executive officer. He worked for Bunge for over a decade and was recently president of Agri-Food Value Chain Consulting. He replaces former Landus President and CEO Matt Carstens who abruptly stepped down April 4 after being under scrutiny on social media about his financial and personal dealings. Sam Caton was serving as interim CEO.
Mickeala Carter joined FoodCorps as vice president of policy and communications. She served as USDA deputy director of communications during the Biden administration. Recently, Carter was a senior director at FTI Consulting.
The Senate Agriculture Committee added new Republican staff members. Former Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation President Karl Anderson joined the committee as a senior professional staff member. He spent a decade as the director of government relations for the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America, where he led federal policy initiatives focused on agricultural innovation. Anderson previously held roles as director of legislative affairs at the National Association of Conservation Districts and served in the George W. Bush administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He began his Capitol Hill career as senior legislative assistant to Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and legislative director to Rep. George R. Nethercutt, Jr., R-Wash.
Cut through the clutter! We deliver the news you need to stay informed about farm, food and rural issues. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse here.
Corey Brown Weber is now chief counsel for the Senate Ag Committee Republican staff. She previously served as legislative director for Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and held roles with the National Pork Producers Council, the National Agricultural Law Center and the North Carolina General Assembly. Michelle Sutton joined the committee as a legislative assistant. She graduated from the Texas Tech University School of Law in May 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in poultry science and a minor in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in 2021. Sutton previously served as a law clerk for the committee during the summer of 2024.
Laura Hensley was promoted to chief marketing officer at Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. She has been with the company for over two years, recently as director of communications. Earlier, Hensley held roles with C.O.nxt and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Laura Hensley (LinkedIn photo)The American Seed Trade Association hired Brandon Pachman as director of government affairs. He previously worked for the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service as a legislative analyst. Earlier, he worked for the Senate Agriculture Committee Democratic staff as a policy analyst supporting then-Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow.
The Institute for Feed Education and Research and American Feed Industry Association hired new staff. Yuan-Tai Hung was named senior manager of research. In the newly created role, Hung will lead efforts to advance IFEEDER’s mission through science-based research and education. He previously held roles with a the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Animal Systems Biology team, Devenish Nutrition North America and Leader Nutrition in Taiwan. Hung holds a doctorate in swine nutrition and digestive physiology from the University of Minnesota. Marisa Halbstein joined the communications team as marketing and program development specialist. She will lead marketing for AFIA’s educational and networking events and work closely with the IFEEDER team to communicate the importance of investing in the future of the animal food industry. A recent University of Florida graduate, Halbstein previously completed communications internships with the AFIA and Animal Agriculture Alliance.
Sarah Hutchinson joined YUM! Brands as associate manager of government relations. She was previously manager for public policy and regulatory affairs at the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Connor Hamburg was promoted to senior manager of government and industry affairs at Nutrien. He has been with the company for four years, recently in a manager role. Earlier, Hamburg worked for the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau named 14 industry professionals to its 2025-2026 Leadership Development Program. The 2025-2026 CIRB Leadership Development Program class includes:
Heather Jager, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
Jamie Mason, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
Aaron Larson, AgriSompo
Audrey Carls, AgriSompo
Dylan Houser, COUNTRY Financial
Shelby Oetting, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Josh Menz, Farmers Mutual Hail
Kathleen Bjerke, Farmers Mutual Hail
Avery Cook, Gallagher Re
Kody Kirkendall, Guy Carpenter
Ashley Hawley, Hudson Crop
Isaac Straub, Hudson Crop
Josh Goche, Rural Community Insurance Services
Stephanie Manhart, Rural Community Insurance Services
Grove Climate Group hired Alex Hopkins as a director. He was previously associate director for the energy transition initiative at the UNC Institute for the Environment.
Mariah Clark (Ten Acre Marketing photo)Farm-To-Power hired Iowa farmer Joe Heinrich as the new executive director. He was previously executive director of Smart Carbon Network and vice president of the Iowa Farm Bureau. Heinrich raises dairy, beef, corn, soybeans, oats, and alfalfa on his farm in eastern Iowa.
Are you changing jobs, getting promoted or receiving an award? Know someone who is? Email Lydia@Agri-Pulse.com to be featured in next week’s edition of Farm Hands on the Potomac.
