Farm Hands on the Potomac: Newman to lead NPB, Olson joins USW

The National Pork Board hired David Newman as its next chief executive officer. He has been with the organization since 2023, recently in the position of senior vice president of market growth. He previously served as a member of the board of directors and as the board president for two terms in 2020 and 2021. He was also previously a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation executive committee. Earlier in his career, Newman was a faculty member at North Dakota State University and Arkansas State University, leading meat science programs and swine research. He owns and operates Newman Family Farms in Myrtle, Missouri, with his family. 

Newman succeeds Bill Even, who stepped down in February and later took a role as commissioner of the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. 

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet has been tapped as president-elect of the American Agricultural Law Association. She is a professor and extension specialist in agricultural law with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, where she focuses on the legal issues that impact Texas landowners and agricultural producers. She testified at the July House Ag Committee hearing into the implications of Proposition 12.

David Newman (NPB photo)

The U.S. Wheat Associates hired Ryan Olson as director of trade policy. He will be responsible for assisting with trade policy, transportation, production technologies, sustainability and food aid issues that impact the export of U.S. wheat. Previously, Olson was an industry affairs manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council and served as director of operations at the North American Export Grain Association. Earlier in his career, Olson was a research associate at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Trade and Economics. 

Former Agri-Pulse intern Allie Herring joined the House Agriculture Committee’s Republican staff as press secretary. A recent Texas Tech University graduate, Herring completed internships with the committee and Combest, Sell & Associates while in college. She served as editor of the university’s Agriculturist magazine during the spring 2025 semester. At Agri-Pulse, she wrote on issues ranging from New World screwworm to hemp regulation, cloud seeding and farm bankruptcies. 

Kate Steel joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International as senior vice president. She co-founded and served as CEO of a financial technology platform called Nithio to address the need for investment in Africa’s sustainable energy transition. Steel was previously energy director for Power Africa and was a member of the Energy Access and Investments team at Google. She also has experience managing the World Bank-IFC’s Lighting Africa Initiative. Steel’s first day at NRECA International will be Sept. 8. 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hired Savanna Ronco as director of channel marketing, based in Denver. Ronco was previously marketing and sustainability manager at the Seattle Fish Co. and earlier was communications and events manager at ChoLon Restaurant Concepts. 

Farm Credit of the Virginias appointed Pete Cypret as chief executive officer. He has been with FCV since 2019, recently as chief risk officer, and has overseen several technology advancements that have improved FCV’s efficiency during his tenure. Earlier in his career, Cypret spent more than 20 years working in risk management for financial institutions. The leadership transition also marks the upcoming retirement of current CEO Brad Cornelius, who will retire in October after 33 years of dedicated service to FCV and the Farm Credit System. Cypret will begin his new role on Oct. 1. 

Laura Ehret was named vice president of program information at The Cotton Board. She will oversee the organization’s communications division and guide efforts to keep cotton producers, importers, and industry partners informed and engaged with the organization’s research and promotion program. Ehret previously led communications efforts for the Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum and has held senior roles for the National Basketball Association and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She grew up on a cotton farm near Gadsden, Alabama. 

U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action added two new members to the board of directors: Patrick Giberson of United Soybean Board and Greg Shoemaker of Cargill. Giberson is a fourth-generation farmer growing soybeans, corn and hay in southern New Jersey. Shoemaker serves as a commercial director at Carfull leading a commercial sales organization with more than 125 people.

Pete Cypret (FCV photo)

Ty Bofferding, communications director and senior adviser for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Republican staff, has left Capitol Hill. He is now executive director of public and government affairs at the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. 

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative named Jennifer Block director of value chain partnerships. In the newly created role, she will focus on merging relationships, fostering collaboration, and growing existing partnerships between allied industries, Edge and the other Voice of Milk organizations. Previously, Block was senior vice president of industry relations at the national dairy checkoff. 

Former Federal Railroad Administration Executive Director Michael Lestingi joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee as a professional staff member. He will support Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and the Democratic staff. 

Anica Choi was hired as a legislative assistant in the office of Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., covering agriculture and food issues. She previously worked for Georgia Republican Rep. Brian Jack as a legislative assistant. Madelyn Derks, who previously led Alford’s agriculture portfolio, departed the office to join the American Soybean Association in August. 

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, hired Jason Moyer as legislative director covering agriculture, food and energy issues. Moyer was previously legislative director for Texas state Sen. Brent Hagenbuch. 

Alyssa Pettus is now senior vice president of external affairs and communications at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. She was previously communications director for the House Select Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Committee. 

CropLife America hired Anoucheka Cherisca as an office services specialist. She previously was an administrative assistant at Baker Botts for 24 years. 

Trent Collins was promoted to senior vice president of operations at biorefining company, Green Plains. He has been with the organization since April 2024, recently as vice president of operational excellence. Earlier in his career, Collins worked for ADM and Benson Hill. 

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. 

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