Frank Mitloehner has been named the new chair of the Department of Animal Science at the University of California Davis. The department has the highest undergraduate enrollment in the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Mitloehner joined UC Davis in 2002 as an assistant extension specialist for air quality. He is the founding director of the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center, which focuses on bridging research, community and outreach and works closely with industry to measure and reduce livestock emissions. Since 2016 he has served as an adjunct professor in the College of Animal Science at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in China. Mitloehner replaces Michael Mienaltowski, who served as interim chair when Anne Todgham was named associate dean of agricultural sciences in October 2025.
Frank Mitloehner (UC Davis photo)Dan Errotabere, Lance Shebelut and Jeff Boldt have been reelected for three-year terms on the Fresno Madera Farm Credit board of directors. Boldt begins his third term while Errotabere and Shebelut are exceeding a decade of board service. Additionally, Dave Burlage was appointed as an outside director and will serve on the audit committee. He brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience, including serving as chief financial officer of CoBank.
Leticia Ramirez of Sacramento was appointed to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ramirez has been an Attorney at Thatch & Hooper, LLP since 2024, and earlier was general counsel at Calbright College. She’s also held positions with Sacramento County and with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Newsom also made appointments to water quality control boards. Sushma Bhatia of Cupertino has been appointed to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. She has been Global Business and Applied AI Director at Google since 2024. Bhatia has also held roles at Accenture and the San Francisco Department of the Environment, as well as co-founder and CEO of Dreeya. Farfalla Borah of Santa Barbara was appointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. She has held multiple positions at University of California, Santa Barbara, from 1989 to 2018, including manager of employee and labor relations.
Jess Davis is now communications director for Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash. She was previously director of public and member services at the Tennessee Business Roundtable.
The American Farm Bureau Federation is adding Virginia Houston as senior director of government affairs to lead the organization’s work on agricultural trade and tax policy. Houston was most recently director of government affairs at the American Soybean Association, focused on trade policy, market access, and international biotechnology and crop protection. She’s also held roles at the American Seed Trade Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and USDA. Houston succeeds Dave Salmonsen, who retired at the end of March after nearly 30 years at Farm Bureau.
Olivia Shepard joined Ardent Mills to lead North America regenerative agriculture programs and partnerships. She was previously senior manager of responsible materials at Target, and earlier worked for the Rainforest Alliance.
The American Feed Industry Association promoted three staff members. Gary Huddleston has been elevated to senior director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. He has been with the group since 2015, and focused on managing AFIA’s regulatory efforts involving the Food and Drug Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation.
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Jessica Morse has been elevated to AFIA's senior director of meetings and events. During her five years at the organization, she’s planned educational programs at the International Production & Processing Expo, Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference and Feed Industry Institute, among others. Lynette Tucker was elevated to senior manager of meetings and sponsorships. She coordinates AFIA’s Pet Food Conference, Liquid Feed Symposium and other special programs.
Ashley McKeon was named president and CEO of the Soil Health Institute. Most recently, she was director of agriculture policy at the Environmental Defense Fund. She also previously led regenerative agriculture strategy for Cargill in Washington, D.C. McKeon will work alongside founding president and CEO C. Wayne Honeycutt during a brief transition period before Honeycutt retires.
Ashley McKeon
(Soil Health Institute photo)The Coca-Cola Company hired Parul Bajaj as vice president and chief of staff. She will support the executive vice president and global chief of communications, sustainability and strategic partnerships officer. She worked for the Nissan Motor Corporation for the past 10 years, recently as senior manager of sustainability.
Kelly Scavella has been detailed to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to support the Food for Peace Program. She has been a project manager on USDA FAS’s Africa team for the past five years. Earlier, she was an HIV/AIDS outreach program coordinator for the Peace Corps.
Olivia Shelton was promoted to policy adviser in USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area. She was previously a confidential assistant. A graduate of Montana State University, Shelton also has been a legislative correspondent for Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont.
American Seafood Partners hired Hyrum Egbert as CEO. He was previously vice president at Riverbend Meats LLC in Idaho, and earlier CEO of Missouri Prime Beef Packers.
Mark Walker was named executive director of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association. He was previously vice president of markets and trade at Cereals Canada, and earlier manager of policy development at the Canadian Canola Growers Association for five years.
Joe Buccino is now communications director for the House Republican Caucus. He was previously senior director of media relations for Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Mondelēz International hired Lucas Szabo as senior manager of global public and government affairs. He previously held roles in global public affairs at Nestlé and was an international trade specialist at the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
Zoetis named Amir Golan head of global strategy. Golan worked at Novartis for the past eight years, recently as vice president and head of human insights and analytics.
Vera Mackyntoich was named special assistant to the deputy administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency. She previously held roles at the Federalist Society.
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.
