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Duda expanded the sales team by hiring Roger Moncada as director of western sales and Steve Bindas as director of outside sales. The Northern California Water Association hired Clarissa “Kam” Bezdek as a legislative affairs director. Former Biotechnology Innovation Organization staff member Beth Ellikidis joined Syngenta as director of federal affairs

California energy policy leader Robert Weisenmiller died July 14 after a brief illness. Ryan French joined Scanit Technologies as senior lead for sales and market development. Former Dairy West CEO Karianne Fallow joined AARP as Idaho state director. 

Former Biotechnology Innovation Organization vice president Beth Ellikidis joined Syngenta as director of federal affairs. Former Senate Ag Committee staffer Darin Guries will join the Futures Industry Association as vice president of U.S. government relations. Quivira hired former Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small as executive director. Reed Middleton joined Monument Advocacy as a government relations manager on the food and agriculture team.

Longtime U.S. Cattlemen’s Association lobbyist Lia Biondo passed away unexpectedly on July 24. The Pet Food Institute promoted Atalie Ebersole to vice president of government relations and Dana Waters to director of international affairs. The Northeast Dairy Producers Association hired Allyson Jones-Brimmer as executive director. Former U.S. Agency for International Development staff member Grace Burton joined the Farm Journal Foundation as director of government affairs. 

CropLife America hired Environmental Protection Agency alumna Venus Welch-White as director of government relations. Fresh Del Monte Produce hired Miles Fraser-Jones as vice president of sales and product management, deciduous and citrus (international). Jennifer Osborn has been appointed director at the California Department of Industrial Relations. 

Veterinarian C. Mike Tomlinson was appointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board. Former Environmental Protection Agency senior legislative adviser Angela Hervig joined the office of Rep. Luz Rivas, D-Calif., as a legislative assistant covering agriculture, food and trade. Matt Bornhorst departed Meristem Crop Performance where he served as a strategic account lead. 

Bobby Frederick is starting a new position as senior director, head of federal government relations for Cargill Inc. CropLife America hired Environmental Protection Agency alumnus Venus Welch-White as director of government affairs.Those are just two of several job changes in ag organizations and on Capitol Hill. 

Duane Simpson, formerly with the Bayer Crop Science Division, took over as the leader of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives this week. The International Dairy Foods Association promoted Michelle Albee Matto to vice president of regulatory affairs and nutrition. 

Elisha Modisett Kemp was promoted to head of U.S. government and industry affairs at Corteva Agriscience. David Bergstein was named communications director for Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. Brian Liedl joined the U.S. Wheat Associates as vice president of overseas operations. 

The California Fresh Fruit Association hired Clayton Smith as director of government relations. The Bureau of Land Management is moving California state office executive Joe Stout to the agency’s top career position in Washington. Longtime California Citrus Mutual president Joel Nelsen died unexpectedly July 1. 

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation hired Anna Nicholson as alumni engagement and event manager. Gino Dicaro has departed from the Wine Institute to join the Golden State Water Company as public policy and government relations manager. John Harris, one of California agriculture’s most influential leaders, passed away on July 3. 

The American Soybean Association hired Mariah Wollweber as senior director of marketing and communications. Justin Ransom was appointed administrator of the Food Safety Inspection Service. The Keystone Policy Center hired USDA alumnus Alyssa Charney as senior director of the agricultural technical assistance program. 

The National Wheat Foundation appointed Anne Osborne as the next executive director. Peter Laudeman joined USDA as a senior policy adviser for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. The U.S. Wheat Associates hired Julia Debes as director of communications and stakeholder outreach.

Western Growers promoted Bryan Nickerson to director of membership. Mike Bittner was promoted to western regional director at Atticus. Kyle Kunkler is now the Environmental Protection Agency’s top pesticide officer. 

Progressive Produce named Andy Webb vice president of business development. Veg-Land Inc./JBJ Distributing and Fresh Cut Inc. hired Todd Linsky to join the leadership team. Rudy Placencia was named vice president of sales at Fowler Packing. 

Kyle Kunkler is now the Environmental Protection Agency’s top pesticide officer. The Agricultural Retailers Association hired Alex Enlow as director of communications and member experience. Dow Chemical promoted Colleen Litkenhaus to global director of public policy. 

Trey Elizondo was promoted to senior manager of global policy and strategy at Cargill. The America First policy Institute hired Oliver McPherson-Smith as vice chair for energy and environment. Steve Mercer retired from the U.S. Wheat Associates.