The Agriculture Department has announced a new communications team. Harry Fones was named acting director of communications. Earlier, he was communications director for the House Freedom Caucus and principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. Michael Abboud was named deputy chief of staff for public affairs. Abboud was previously associate administrator for the Office of External Affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency. Alec Varsamis, who was USDA's communications director for the past year, and Jentre Kennedy, the press assistant for USDA's Office of Communications, have both left the department.
The International Dairy Foods Association added two staff members to the government relations and advocacy team: Darrin Youker is the new director of state government relations and Cal Wilson is manager of government affairs. Youker will lead IDFA’s state advocacy work tracking and engaging on the growing volume of state legislative and regulatory activity affecting the dairy sector. He joins IDFA from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, where he served as policy director. Wilson previously worked for the Senate Ag Committee Republican staff as a staff assistant. In addition to the new staff, IDFA established a strategic advocacy fund to support the efforts, deepen member engagement and further target coalition and advocacy efforts in states. Both Youker and Wilson will report to Chelsie Keys, IDFA's senior vice president of government relations.
Ryan Yates joined Farm Credit Bank of Texas as senior vice president of government relations. He worked at the American Farm Bureau Federation for the past 12 years, recently as managing director of public policy.
Ryan Yates (AFBF photo)Tyson Foods named Jeff Schomburger president and CEO effective Oct. 4. He previously held numerous roles at Procter & Gamble during his 35 years with the company, including most recently as global sales officer. Schomburger succeeds current leader Donnie King, who is retiring after 43 years with the company. King will remain on the Tyson Foods board of directors.
Carlye Winfrey was promoted to professional staff on the Republican staff of the Senate Ag Committee working on nutrition issues. She was previously a legislative aide. Winfrey was formerly a government relations manager at Monument Advocacy.
Bill Davis started as the senior director and head of U.S. federal and state affairs at Zoetis. Previously, he spent eight years at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and two years at the National Pork Producers Council.
USDA appointed the members of the Cotton Board: John Newby, Brad Harrison, Bradley Monahan and Lisa Keyser. Newly appointed alternate members include Shep Morris, Adam McLendon, Jason Lawless, Robert Hill, Jeff Mitch, Samantha Gordon and Yelena Mogelefsky. The rest of the board, alternates and advisers, were all reappointed.
Tim Massa, executive vice president and chief associate experience officer of Kroger, will retire on Sept. 18. He spent 16 years in leadership at Kroger, rising from vice president of talent development to senior vice president before his current role. He previously worked at Procter & Gamble. A successor has not yet been named.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has named Kendall Stephenson executive director of international energy. She has previously worked at the Chamber of Commerce as senior manager of policy for the Global Energy Institute, which she left in April 2025 to serve as the government relations manager for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Ken Silveira is now the CEO of Grimmway Produce Group. He was formerly the president at Bengard Ranch Inc. Jeff Huckaby, the former CEO, is now chief agricultural officer.
James Peterson is the new CEO of Wish Farms. He has been with the company for almost 15 years. He was preceded by Gary Wishnatzki, who is the owner of Wish Farms, and who will be transitioning to chairman of the board.
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Defenders of Wildlife hired Mike Leahy as vice president of government relations. He most recently was the senior director of wildlife for hunting and fishing policy at the National Wildlife Federation. Leahy worked for Defenders of Wildlife from 2000 to 2013.
Ily Soares is now the chief financial officer of the Farm Credit Administration. She has been acting CFO since the retirement of Mary Peterman on April 30. Soares has been with the Farm Credit Administration for 17 years, and was previously the deputy chief financial officer. Earlier, she worked for the Interior Business Center.
Ily Soares (LinkedIn photo)Elliott Dennis was named an associate professor of agricultural and applied economics at the University of Missouri. He will also be the inaugural Mershon Family Production Agricultural Economics Scholar. He will begin on Sept. 1. Dennis was formerly an associate professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Josie Kavanagh was named director of PAC and political operations at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. She formerly worked as the director of scheduling and finance administration for Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.
Rational 360 hired Maggie Allard as senior vice president. She previously spent six years at Adfero, most recently as senior vice president and headed the energy and agriculture practice.
Wes Saber was appointed chief financial officer for FreshEdge. Saber was formerly the executive vice president and CFO during his 11 years at Haribo of America. He also worked at Mars for over 12 years.
The Nickey Gregory Co. named Scott Chapman president in December, succeeding founder Nickey Gregory after his retirement. Chapman was the vice president of sales at the company for 18 years. Prior to his tenure at the Nickey Gregory Co., Chapman spent 15 years at Kroger.
PACE LLP hired Katy Albiani as an associate. She was previously a senior legislative assistant in the U.S. House for Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., and earlier was a legislative aide in the California State Assembly.
Danny Reeves was promoted to director of member services and coalitions for the House Financial Services Committee. Previously, he was the deputy director of member services and coalitions.
The Texas Pork Producers Association hired Laura Jimenez as the consumer marketing specialist. Prior to this role, she was a sales consultant at Buckhead Meat and Seafood.
Addison Randall is now a marketing events specialist with Ever.Ag. She previously worked for the Iowa Pork Producers Association as an event and program manager.
The National Farmers Union announced its National Youth Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 year: Taryn McCaa and Darla Fesmire from the Oklahoma Farmers Union, Carter Hass and Lily Thomas from the North Dakota Farmers Union, and Easton Hansen from the Wisconsin Farmers Union. All will serve one-year terms.
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