California Department of Food and Agriculture deputy secretary for legislative affairs, Rachael O’Brien, has left the department to become vice president of government relations at the California Grocers Association. O’Brien worked at CDFA for eight years, first as assistant secretary before being promoted to deputy secretary for legislative affairs in 2018. Earlier in her career, O’Brien was manager of government affairs at the Agricultural Council of California.
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 Management 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 a request for comment or confirm if other board members were also removed. Board members serve at the pleasure of the secretary of agriculture.
Rachel O'Brien and Karen Ross (CDFA photo)Ryan Howard was promoted to North American sales director at Family Tree Farms. During his more than a decade with the group, he’s played a key role expanding customer partnerships, leading sales strategy and supporting both stone fruit and blueberry programs. Earlier in his career, Howard was vice president of production at Gary McDonald Homes.
Capespan North America hired Craig Messmer and Ashley Berlinger as sales executives. Messmer was recently a key account manager at Dole Diversified, and earlier was a district manager of fresh berry sales at Dole Fresh Fruit International. He is based in Portland, Oregon. Berlinger previously held roles with CREEKSIDE ORGANICS, Sun Pacific, and Charlie’s Produce. She is based in Oceanside, California. Both will report to Eric Jones, Capespan North America’s director of U.S. sales.
Church Brothers Farms hired Omar Bobadilla as chief strategy and operations officer. Bobadilla will lead the integration of the recently acquired Mann Packing retail operations in Gonzales, California, and focus on driving special projects and cross-facility initiatives. Bobadilla was previously senior vice president of manufacturing and agricultural operations at Bonduelle Americas, where he held responsibility for a large, multi-site organization with locations across the U.S., Mexico, and South America.
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.
Matt Herrick (IBWA photo)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.
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.
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.
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.
