The California Farm Water Coalition named Michelle Paul as the group’s next executive director. She will join the Coalition in mid-January and assume full responsibilities on March 1. Paul brings nearly 20 years of experience to the organization, recently serving as vice president of marketing and outreach at AgWest Farm Credit. She also sits on the board of directors for the California Agricultural Council and the Center for Land-Based Learning, and is a member of Class 53 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Paul succeeds Mike Wade, who is retiring in February after leading the Coalition since 1998.
Michelle Paul (CFWC photo)Julia Inestroza was elected as chair of California Citrus Mutual. A fourth generation citrus grower in Tulare County, she grows several varieties of navels, as well as valencias, lemons and seedless lemons with her husband, Jorge. Before returning to Porterville to manage her family’s citrus acreage, Inestroza worked in marketing for the fresh produce sector. She succeeds Jared Plumlee who was board chair for the past three years. The board also voted to approve a new slate of officers for the upcoming year including: Scott Mabs as vice chairman, Gabe Olmos as secretary, Ken Wileman as treasurer, and Jared Plumlee as past chair.
B. John Lindeman was promoted to president and chief executive officer of Calavo Growers, Inc., a global company that sources, packages, and distributes fresh avocados, tomatoes, papayas, guacamole and other avocado products. Lindeman previously served as chief financial officer for the company for five years before working at Hydrofarm Holdings Group Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of hydroponics equipment and supplies. At Hydrofarm, he held multiple roles, most recently as CEO. In his return to Calavo, Lindeman succeeds Lee E. Cole, effective Dec. 8. Cole served as Calavo’s president and CEO for 21 years, as director for 39 years, and as chairman of the board for 28 years.
The California Energy Commission tapped Regina Galer as head of the Siting, Transmission, and Environmental Protection Division. Galer brings over two decades of experience working with the U.S. Department of Energy. Most recently, she worked in the agency’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
Bryan Boersma is now working for the California Energy Commission as an attorney in the advocacy and compliance unit. Earlier, he worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor.
Ellie Gilchrist was promoted to communications director in the office of Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif. She has been with the office since June, recently as press secretary. Earlier, she worked for the Pinkston Group as an account executive.
Sara O’Neill joined Bloom Energy as vice president of policy and government affairs. She worked for Aera Energy, LLC for the past six years as part of the company’s executive leadership team.
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Sam Berry is now chief information officer at the Agriculture Department. Berry has been on staff for the Department of Government Efficiency at USDA since April. He replaced Gary Washington, who was recently appointed chief innovation officer. Washington is leaving USDA to begin work as a chief strategy officer for the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation elected new officers. Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company based in Boise, Idaho, was named chair for the 2025-26 term. Theiler succeeds Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska, as the organization’s chair. USMEF chair-elect is Dave Bruntz, a corn and soybean grower and cattle feeder in southeastern Nebraska. Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen. Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter/distributor PMI Foods, is USMEF vice chair. The newest USMEF officer is secretary-treasurer Ross Havens, a cattle producer who serves as marketing coordinator for Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa.
Jay Theiler (USMEF photo)
Abby Melnikoff joined the National Cattleman’s Beef Association as manager of membership and affiliate services. Melnikoff was raised on a small cow-calf operation in Nebraska. She graduated with an associate degree in agricultural business from Northeastern Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural media and communication from West Texas A&M University.
Holland & Knight, a global law firm, welcomed Matt Rosenbaum as a partner in the firm’s international trade group. Rosenbaum previously worked in the Commerce Department’s Office of the Chief Counsel for Industry and Security as senior counsel.
Deborah Swerdlow joined the Parkinson’s Foundation as associate vice president of advocacy and state policy. Previously, she served as chief of staff for the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services mission area at USDA for three years.
Ed Patru joined American Beverage as senior vice president of public affairs. He was previously a senior vice president at Rational 360 and principal at the Direct Communications Co.
Sarah Franklin was named press secretary for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Republican staff. She was previously a public affairs account manager at Curley Co. Inc.
The Animal Ag Alliance announced new board leadership. Beginning Jan. 1, Nick Wolfenden, global sustainable animal welfare director at Cargill, will serve as board chairperson. He succeeds Lisa McComb, strategic communication consultant at Vision Media, who completes her term as chairperson on Dec. 31 and will continue to serve as immediate past chairperson. Brett Kaysen, senior vice president of producer and state engagement for the National Pork Board, was appointed chairperson-elect. Tom Super, senior vice president of public affairs at the National Chicken Council, will continue to serve as treasurer of AAA’s board of directors. In addition to new board leadership, Perdue Farms will join the board as a new member starting Jan. 1. Perdue will be represented on the board by Herb Frerichs, general counsel and director of government affairs.
Pictured left to right: Tom Super, Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Nick Wolfenden, Lisa McComb. Not pictured: Brett Kaysen, PhD (Animal Ag Alliance photo)Peter Orwick, a longtime advocate of the sheep industry, will retire from leading the American Sheep Industry Association in November. He has been executive director since the 1990s. During his 25 years with the organization, Orwick has supported a rebuild of lamb and wool promotional programs, helped establish national sheep disease eradication and led livestock protection programs. Orwick was raised on a sheep and cattle ranch on the rangelands of western South Dakota and graduated from South Dakota State University.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee named Joe Bush national press secretary. He was previously deputy communications director for Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.
Ben Castagnetti is now director of federal affairs at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. He was previously a legislative correspondent for Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
Sam Beaver was named vice president of congressional relations at the Independent Community Bankers of America. He was previously a federal government affairs manager at the Brewers Association. Earlier, he worked for the National Association of Manufacturers.
