Veteran agricultural economist John Newton is returning to the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he will oversee both the nation’s largest farm organization’s government relations advocacy staff and its team of economists. Newton, who was AFBF’s chief economist before leaving for the Senate Agriculture Committee’s GOP staff in 2021, will serve as AFBF’s vice president of public policy and economic analysis in his new role. Newton left the Senate Ag staff in 2024 to become executive head of Terrain, part of the Farm Credit System. Newton is filling two roles at AFBF, replacing Sam Kieffer, who is stepping down as vice president of public policy to become president and CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers, and Roger Cryan, who left AFBF as chief economist in May.
John Hollay has been tapped as the next president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, effective Jan. 1. He succeeds Michael Marsh, who is retiring after leading the organization since 2017. Hollay joins NCAE from the International Fresh Produce Association, where he was director of government affairs. Previously, he was vice president of government relations at the National Milk Producers Federation and was a legislative staffer for Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-Conn.
Dana Brooks, president and CEO of the Pet Food Institute for the past seven years, will step down in April 2026. She will remain in her role with the organization representing cat and dog food manufacturers as the search for her successor takes place. Before joining PFI in 2018, Brooks served in government relations and public policy roles a
Dana Brooks (PFI photo)t Land O’Lakes, the National Milk Producers Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation. She was named a Woman of Influence by Pet Age and to the Power 50 list, which recognizes the pet industry's most impactful and influential people. She also served on the board of directors for Pet Partners and the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations. The Pet Food Institute has initiated a board search committee to work with an executive search firm to guide the succession process.
Jane Meyer departed from Capitol Hill, where she served as communications director in the personal office of Senate Ag Committee ranking member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. She had worked in the office since 2020. Meyer is now vice president at Risa Heller Communications.
Trade consulting firm DTB AgriTrade hired Krista Dickson as a partner. She served as the director of food disclosure and labeling for the Agriculture Department for the past four years. She also served as USDA’s lead for WTO compliance, playing a central role in landmark trade cases with China, India, Indonesia and Canada that safeguarded billions in agricultural exports. She has also worked in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where she negotiated with the EU and UK on sanitary and phytosanitary issues to secure agreements that protected U.S. exports.
Lindy Froebel was promoted to vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the National Turkey Federation. She has been with the organization for six years, recently in a director role. Froebel received bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Texas A&M University.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association hired Clay Parker as associate director of government affairs. He was previously a legislative staffer for Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
Shane Londagin is now a senior policy adviser for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Democratic staff focused on climate change and energy issues. He previously worked for Third Way as a senior policy adviser for the group’s climate and energy program.
Natural Resource Results LLC hired David Brooks as a government affairs professional. He was previously the longtime general counsel on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Democratic staff. Brooks worked for the committee in a counsel role since 1997.
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The U.S. Soybean Export Council announced new regional boundaries and leadership appointments. The east Asia region will combine greater China, northeast Asia and southeast Asia, and be led by Carlos Salinas as executive director and Timothy Loh as regional director. The Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region will be led by Kevin Roepke as executive director. The Europe & Americas region will be led by Rosalind Leeck as managing director and the sub-Saharan Africa region will be led by Brent Babb as executive director.
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Tom D' Alfonso (USSEC photo)ditionally, USSEC made new appointments to support soy promotion for animal nutrition and aquaculture uses. Morgan Cheatham was promoted to director of aquaculture. She has been with the organization since 2024, recently as animal and aquaculture manager. Earlier in her career, Cheatham worked in aquaculture operations in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Cheatham earned her doctorate in aquaculture from Mississippi State University. Tom D’Alfonso was named director of animal nutrition. He previously had global director-level responsibility for both aquaculture and animal nutrition. Earlier, D’Alfonso was president of the animal feed production company Agmine.
Brian Bombassaro returned to Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP as a senior associate. He was recently international trade counsel on the Senate Finance Committee Republican staff. Before coming to the committee in March, Bombassaro worked at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer for five years.
House Ag Committee freshman April McClain Delaney, D-Md., hired John Ewald as communications director and senior adviser. He was previously communications chief of staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Earlier, Ewald was deputy director of public affairs at the International Trade Administration.
Courtney Reinhard is now an aide to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Republican staff. She was previously legislative director for Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Earlier, she was vice president of federal government relations at Verizon Communications Inc. and a legal adviser at the Federal Communications Commission.
Ryland Bennett is now a senior advance specialist at the Environmental Protection Agency Office of the Administrator. He was previously deputy digital director for the House Republican Conference.
Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte hired former Capitol Hill legislative staffer Christian Bray as a natural resources policy adviser. He previously held roles in the offices of Republican Reps. Troy Downing of Montana, Pete Stauber of Minnesota and Dusty Johnson of South Dakota.
Marisol Samayoa has left the office of Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., where she served as communications director. She is now senior director of broadcast and emerging media at Bully Pulpit International.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association hired Dan Jarrell as director of federal affairs. He was previously manager of federal affairs for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.
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