Ashley McFarland is the new president and CEO of the American Malting Barley Association. She has been the group’s vice president and technical director for the past four years. Earlier McFarland was executive director of Dovetail Partners. She succeeds Scott Heisel, who will retire in April.
Jackson Takach has taken on leadership responsibilities for the Farm & Ranch operating segment at FarmerMac. He has been with the group for more than two decades, recently as chief economist and vice president of strategy, research and analytics.
Sarah Novak joined Zinpro Corp. as director of global industry relations and market intelligence. She was chief operating officer at the American Feed Indu
Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah (U.S. House of Representatives photo)stry Association for the last 18 years. Earlier in her career, Novak worked for the U.S. Grains Council.
After the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., the Western Caucus elected Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, by unanimous consent as chair. LaMalfa was an advocate for western issues related to public lands, water, agriculture, and energy. Maloy represents Utah’s second district which includes Salt Lake City and parts of the west and southwest area of the state as well as four national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands.
The House Agriculture Committee's Republican staff made promotions and added a new staff member. Kyle Upton was promoted to senior legislative assistant and will be responsible for cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and Commodity Futures Trading Commission issues. Upton has been with the committee for two years. Austin Deberry was promoted to legislative assistant focused on commodities and livestock issues. Hannah Otte was hired as staff assistant. She was previously an intern in the office of committee member Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa.
Valent U.S.A. hired Meggie Gilbert as a strategic farms sustainable solutions account manager. Based in Clovis, California, she will focus on the continued growth of Valent’s sustainable solutions business unit and deepening partnerships with large-scale farming organizations across the western United States. Previously Gilbert was an area manager for BASF Nunhems where she led the company’s vegetable seed business on the West Coast.
Jed Bullock, formerly chief of program administration for USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, is now a senior policy and appropriations associate for Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, focused on food and agriculture issues. Earlier in his career, Bullock worked for Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, D-P.R., and the House Natural Resources Committee.
The American Council on Renewable Energy hired new staff. Colin Meehan, who previously worked for the World Wildlife Fund, was named vice president for grid campaigns. Chris Higginbotham was hired as vice president of communications. He was previously press officer at the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alisa Fox, who previously worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, was named director of grid campaigns. Additionally, Claire Stirling was named director of events️, and Allie Chapman was hired as manager of policy and engagement.
The National Associatio
Angie Abbott (Purdue Extension photo)n of Counties promoted Abby Davidson to chief research officer, a role on the senior leadership team. Before joining the group nearly a year ago, Davidson worked for The Aspen Institute.
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Angie Abbott was appointed associate dean and director of Purdue Extension. She has 22 years of experience with the Purdue Extension system, beginning her career as a director and extension specialist for the Nutrition Education Program. Abbott has served as interim associate dean during the last two years as the extension system underwent an internal strategic review process.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association promoted Denny Atchley to associate director of membership and affiliate services. A Texas Tech University graduate, Atchley has been with the group for two years, recently in a manager role.
Caroline Leach was promoted to press secretary in the personal office of House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa. A Texas Tech University alumnus, Leach has been with the office since June.
Elena Kuhn joined the office of Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as a senior communications adviser. She was previously special assistant to the president and a senior communications officer during the Biden administration. Kuhn supported then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi as a press adviser.
Emma Hoffschneider joined the office of Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., as communications director. A Nebraska native, Hoffschneider was previously press secretary for Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.
Andrew Espitallier was named communications director for Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. Espitallier has most of his career in the news media, most recently as a field producer for NewsNation and a line producer at Newsmax Media.
Garrett Brown was promoted to communications director for Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont. He has been with the office since 2023.
House Ag Committee member Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., promoted Molly McTaggart to legislative director. She has been with the office for two and a half years.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., hired Lauren Limke as district director based in the congresswoman’s Moorhead office. Limke was previously a government relations manager at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions.
William Klepp was promoted to legislative aide in the office of Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif. He’s been with the office nearly a year.
Altria hired Alex Siciliano as senior director of public affairs and public policy. He was previously senior vice president of communications at the National Association of Broadcasters. Earlier, Siciliano worked for Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
Joey Caldwell was named chief executive officer at the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. He was previously senior vice president of growth and strategy at GreenPoint Ag. Earlier in his career, Caldwell was general manager of the Tipton Farmers Cooperative in Tennessee for 26 years.
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.
