D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services promoted Laurie Flanagan to president and David Beaudreau to executive vice president. David Crow, founder of the firm, will continue working full time and transition into the role of strategic adviser. Flanagan joined the firm 32 years ago, and Beaudreau joined in 2009. Jay Vroom, who was president and CEO of CropLife America for over 30 years, will continue serving as a strategic adviser to the firm.
At least two members of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board of directors, who were appointed by former Ag Sec. Tom Vilsack to serve four-year terms, were removed last week via a letter from Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. Those removed include former Risk Manage
Matt Herrick (IBWA photo)ment Agency Administrator Brandon Willis, who was appointed in 2024, and Michigan farmer Chris Bardenhagen who was appointed in 2023. A USDA spokesperson did not respond to our request for comment or confirm if other board members were also removed. Board members serve at the pleasure of the USDA Secretary of Agriculture.
Matt Herrick is the next president and chief executive officer for the International Bottled Water Association. Herrick was recently executive vice president and chief impact officer at the International Dairy Foods Association, where he led a significant strategic pivot to rebrand the association, build new advocacy and programming capabilities, and launch the IDFA Foundation. Earlier, Herrick served as head of public affairs and communications for both the USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He has also led external and public affairs for the Rockefeller Foundation and Oxfam America.
The American Seed Trade Association, the lead advocate for crop biotechnology after the Biotechnology Innovation Organization eliminated its agriculture and environment section, made staff hires and promotions. Collin Cisco was hired as director of state government affairs. He previously worked at the Illinois Soybean Association, where he led federal and state advocacy efforts as the group’s farm policy manager. Benjamin Rietmann was hired as director of international programs and policy to lead implementing ASTA’s programming across five continents that promotes U.S. seed exports and addresses tariff and nontariff barriers to trade. He was previously an international trade specialist at the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
Also at ASTA, Samuel Crowell was promoted to vice president for science, trade and global affairs, and Martha Malapi was promoted to senior director for seed health and trade. In this expanded leadership role, Crowell will lead ASTA’s strategic engagement across three critical pillars: plant breeding sciences, trade and international seed movement, and ASTA’s global partnerships. He has been with the group for 3 1/2 years. Malapi will continue to lead on critical seed health initiatives to advance the organization’s strategic priorities and ensure that ASTA members are well positioned to address emerging challenges and opportunities facing global seed movement. Malapi has been with ASTA for 2 1/2 years and earlier held roles at USDA.
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association named Mike Romano chief executive officer, effective March 15. He has been with the group for 15 years, recently as executive vice president. Earlier, Romano was of counsel with Bingham McCutchen, LLP (now Morgan Lewis) and served as the vice president and general counsel of GTT Communications. He will succeed Shirley Bloomfield, who has led the group since 2010 and announced her retirement last fall.
Mike Romano (NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association photo) Michaela Johnson is now deputy director for U.S. policy and advocacy communications at UNICEF USA. She was previously deputy chief of staff and communications director for Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich. Kevin Price will join the Georgia Ports Authority as president on July 1. Price will complete a longer-term transition plan with CEO Griff Lynch, with the goal for Price to assume the role of president and CEO by mid-2027. Price currently serves as president of Gateway Terminals in Savannah and has over 30 years of leadership experience, including recently as chief operating officer of Virginia International Terminals.
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers hired Kristina Aleksander as policy communications manager and Christopher Garcia as government relations manager. Aleksander was most recently communications director for Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C. Garcia was a senior associate at Uber.
The American Farmers Network, the largest supplier of premium grass-fed and organic beef in the U.S., named Jim Rogers chief commercial officer. He will be focused on guiding the company’s enterprise-wide commercial strategy, overseeing sales, marketing and customer development, while helping unlock new growth opportunities. Rogers was previously senior vice president of sales at Creekstone Farms Premium Beef and president of FPL Food LLC.
Ashley Michels joined the U.S. Meat Export Federation as communications director. She has worked as a news anchor and reporter with KDVR-TV, the Denver area’s FOX affiliate, and its sister station, KWGN-TV, for the past 12 years. Earlier in her career, Michels was a multimedia journalist at WCIA-TV in Springfield.
Ashley Michels (USMEF photo)The New England Produce Council appointed Jodie Reardon as president. With more than 24 years of experience in the produce industry, Reardon has held roles with Ahold USA, Whole Foods Market and, most recently, with Albertsons as director of replenishment. NEPC also announced that Keith Frosceno of Big Y has been appointed first vice president. Frosceno has been actively involved with NEPC for more than 20 years as both a member and board member. Four additional newly appointed directors were named to the group’s board: Becky Fanion of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Anthony Savino of Hannaford Supermarkets, Jeremy Bunker of Bozzuto’s Inc. and Jon Storm of C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.
Sam Dickens was named director of crop insurance business development at American Farm Bureau Insurance Services. He was previously business development director for the Great American Insurance Group.
Mariam Parker was named executive director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network. She succeeds founding leader Alan Reed, who is retiring after nearly a decade with the group. Parker was previously principal of Cleverly Done and was executive director of the Texas Food & Wine Alliance.
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.
