Ag Personnel Roundup: Checkoff, Co-op and Trade Groups Reshuffle Leadership

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program has named Clint White executive director, capping a personnel season that has moved at least 20 leaders across agribusiness, farm finance and food trade associations. White has directed communications at the checkoff since May 2020 and holds a design communications degree from Texas Tech University.

The National Confectioners Association named Lance Smith executive vice president of customer and industry affairs, effective in January. Smith spent seven years at PIM Brands and 15 years at McLane Co.

Farm Credit of the Virginias promoted Dana Close to chief risk officer. Close joined the cooperative in 2015 as a compliance analyst and most recently directed enterprise risk management and compliance after earlier roles in compliance and loan operations.

What do the boardroom moves mean for growers? In most cases, continuity. But several appointments signal where agribusiness is placing bets.

Vylor appointed Frank Groves pipeline development lead for field crops and forages. He arrives from six years as senior manager of North American seeds product management at Nutrien Ag Solutions, with earlier pipeline and breeding roles at Monsanto, including pipeline lead for global cotton breeding.

Bayer named Krishnamurthy K G country commercial lead for Indonesia and Malaysia and managing director for Indonesia. He previously led commercial operations in Vietnam and directed business transformation.

Gevo, the renewable fuels and chemicals developer, elected K'Lynne Johnson to its board. The former CEO of Elevance Renewable Sciences and former BP executive brings more than 30 years in chemicals, manufacturing and renewable technologies.

Trade and checkoff groups refresh their benches

The Association of Food Industries appointed Lorena Alfaro executive director. Alfaro most recently led the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, where she grew membership, revenue and federal funding, and brings 20 years in association leadership, international trade and public policy.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership hired Mark Rehbein as vice president of development after more than 12 years at Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

Kristi Boswell, an attorney at Alston & Bird advising on farm programs, trade, rural development, agricultural labor and immigration, was elected to the American Agricultural Law Association's Board of Directors.

The Agricultural Safety & Health Council of America elected Paul Riley of AgReserves Inc. as board chair, with Matt Spencer of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association as vice chair, Jill Oatman of Gallagher as secretary and Sage Saffran of the National Milk Producers Federation as treasurer.

Communications desks change hands

• American Farmland Trust: Joy O'Shaughnessy, interim since July and formerly senior director of corporate relations, named vice president of communications; earlier COO of agribusiness at HighQuest Partners and a WGBH producer.
• Land O'Lakes: Lauren Hartung named director of communications, from Golin Ketchum, with prior roles at Ketchum and Rodan + Fields.
• Compeer Financial: Rachel Peabody joins as director of public relations from Caterpillar; she earlier directed communications at the Illinois Soybean Association.
• Idealyst Innovation: Justin Darisse joins as senior vice president of strategic communications and marketing after 25 years at the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, most recently as vice president of strategy and external affairs.

Departures, promotions and honors

Margaret Henry is leaving PepsiCo after more than 10 years leading agricultural sustainability initiatives, most recently as vice president of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. She plans a sabbatical.

Daniel Barba was promoted to chief commercial officer at Bob's Red Mill after becoming vice president of marketing in 2024. Limoneira appointed Ryan Young executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Nov. 9; he oversaw eight packing, warehouse and distribution facilities at Sun Pacific Shippers in California's San Joaquin Valley. Emma Edwards joined the Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs as an international relations specialist, and Farm Foundation named Becky Rowan events manager.

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources climate scientist Daniel Swain will receive the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications plus Climate One's 2026 Stephen H. Schneider Award on Dec. 8 in San Francisco.

Don Landoll, who founded Kansas-based Landoll Corp. in a small blacksmith shop in 1963 and built it into a manufacturer spanning nearly 1 million square feet at full production, died Oct. 31 at age 83. He entered the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association's Shortline Legends Hall of Fame in 2023. "He was the role model citizen" of Marysville, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said in a statement.