Bill Tomson
Agri-Pulse
reporter
A government-savvy reporter with more than 18 years of experience reporting on federal agencies and Congress, Tomson most recently covered agriculture and food issues for Politico. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter for Dow Jones and its flagship publication, the Wall Street Journal. The beat demanded extensive coverage of Congress, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He started his journalism career in the 1990s as a reporter with Knight-Ridder in Sao Pãulo, Brazil, covering the country's dramatic expansion in soybean production. Tomson produced portions of the Brazilian Investment Guide for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Tomson loves to break news as well as dig into complex topics, such as trade policy, biotechnology, farm subsidies, crop insurance, food safety, ethanol and more. Tomson was a guest on NPR's The Diane Rehm Show, discussing the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act, and is frequently interviewed for radio, television, and online media.
A native of Washington, D.C., Tomson earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Central Michigan University. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife, Marcia, and daughter, Chloe.
Agri-Pulse
reporter
A government-savvy reporter with more than 18 years of experience reporting on federal agencies and Congress, Tomson most recently covered agriculture and food issues for Politico. Prior to that, he worked as a reporter for Dow Jones and its flagship publication, the Wall Street Journal. The beat demanded extensive coverage of Congress, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He started his journalism career in the 1990s as a reporter with Knight-Ridder in Sao Pãulo, Brazil, covering the country's dramatic expansion in soybean production. Tomson produced portions of the Brazilian Investment Guide for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Tomson loves to break news as well as dig into complex topics, such as trade policy, biotechnology, farm subsidies, crop insurance, food safety, ethanol and more. Tomson was a guest on NPR's The Diane Rehm Show, discussing the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act, and is frequently interviewed for radio, television, and online media.
A native of Washington, D.C., Tomson earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Central Michigan University. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife, Marcia, and daughter, Chloe.
Mallory Gaines
American Feed Industry Association
Director of Market Access and Multilateral Affairs
Mallory Gaines is the American Feed Industry Association’s director of market access and trade policy. Gaines is responsible for developing, implementing and communicating the organization’s trade policy goals and activities and supporting the growth of trade-related policies that are in the best interests of expanding U.S. exports. She also supports the work of AFIA’s International Trade Committee.
She provides support to AFIA’s senior director of international policy and trade on international trade regulatory and policy initiatives and representing AFIA members engaged in international trade.
Gaines joined AFIA in June 2019 after founding Gage Group Consulting, a boutique consulting firm based in Denver, Colo., which offered strategic advice, issues management and innovative initiatives for trade associations, university clients and for-profit companies. Prior to that, she managed the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s international standard-setting initiatives, advancing NCBA’s positions and support of scientifically sound practices worldwide.
Gaines holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Delaware.
American Feed Industry Association
Director of Market Access and Multilateral Affairs
Mallory Gaines is the American Feed Industry Association’s director of market access and trade policy. Gaines is responsible for developing, implementing and communicating the organization’s trade policy goals and activities and supporting the growth of trade-related policies that are in the best interests of expanding U.S. exports. She also supports the work of AFIA’s International Trade Committee.
She provides support to AFIA’s senior director of international policy and trade on international trade regulatory and policy initiatives and representing AFIA members engaged in international trade.
Gaines joined AFIA in June 2019 after founding Gage Group Consulting, a boutique consulting firm based in Denver, Colo., which offered strategic advice, issues management and innovative initiatives for trade associations, university clients and for-profit companies. Prior to that, she managed the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s international standard-setting initiatives, advancing NCBA’s positions and support of scientifically sound practices worldwide.
Gaines holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Delaware.
Jason Grant
Virginia Tech
Professor
Dr. Jason Grant is the W.G. Wysor Professor of Agriculture and Director of the CALS Center for Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. Dr. Grant joined the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in 2007, after completing his Ph.D. at Purdue University. Dr. Grant’s research key trends in global markets shaping U.S. commodity production and export, including the impacts of trade disputes, retaliatory trade actions, SPS issues, food safety standards, competitive regionalism, and adaptation to extreme climate events. In 2020, he was the recipient of USDA’s Bruce Gardner Award for outstanding contributions by an outside Economist shaping U.S. government programs and policies, and has previously been the recipient of the AAEA’s Honorable Mention award for Outstanding Journal Article; the European Agricultural Economics Association’s Quality of Policy Contribution Award for his work on international trade agreements; and the 2018 APEX award from Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics which recognizes outstanding contributions by an alumni.
Virginia Tech
Professor
Dr. Jason Grant is the W.G. Wysor Professor of Agriculture and Director of the CALS Center for Agricultural Trade at Virginia Tech. Dr. Grant joined the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in 2007, after completing his Ph.D. at Purdue University. Dr. Grant’s research key trends in global markets shaping U.S. commodity production and export, including the impacts of trade disputes, retaliatory trade actions, SPS issues, food safety standards, competitive regionalism, and adaptation to extreme climate events. In 2020, he was the recipient of USDA’s Bruce Gardner Award for outstanding contributions by an outside Economist shaping U.S. government programs and policies, and has previously been the recipient of the AAEA’s Honorable Mention award for Outstanding Journal Article; the European Agricultural Economics Association’s Quality of Policy Contribution Award for his work on international trade agreements; and the 2018 APEX award from Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics which recognizes outstanding contributions by an alumni.
Craig Thorn
DTB AgriTrade
Partner
Craig Thorn focuses on issues related to the World Trade Organization (WTO), international trade negotiations, regulatory trade barriers and biotechnology. He advises trade associations, companies, and governments on disputes under the WTO and other international trade agreements. He is a recognized expert on the applicability of WTO rules to regulatory measures governing biotechnology, geographical indications and other forms of government regulation affecting trade. He maintains a broad range of international contacts and has provided technical assistance to the governments of Vietnam, Honduras, Korea, Chile, Russia, Latvia, and Ukraine. He has testified before Congress on international trade issues.
Before founding DTB Associates, Craig spent over 15 years with the Foreign Agricultural Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving most recently as director of the Europe, Africa and Middle East division. In that capacity, he managed all aspects of the U.S.-EU agricultural trade relationship and was actively involved in discussions with Europe on approvals of transgenic varieties and the labeling of biotech products. He also served as chief negotiator of the U.S.-EU Veterinary Equivalency Agreement and played a key role in the successful U.S. case in the World Trade Organization against the EU on livestock growth hormones.
Prior to serving in Geneva, Craig was the deputy director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Affairs division of FAS, where he supervised USDA work on the Uruguay Round negotiations. Craig also has extensive experience in EU matters from his service at the U.S. Mission to the European Community in Brussels from 1985 to 1988.
DTB AgriTrade
Partner
Craig Thorn focuses on issues related to the World Trade Organization (WTO), international trade negotiations, regulatory trade barriers and biotechnology. He advises trade associations, companies, and governments on disputes under the WTO and other international trade agreements. He is a recognized expert on the applicability of WTO rules to regulatory measures governing biotechnology, geographical indications and other forms of government regulation affecting trade. He maintains a broad range of international contacts and has provided technical assistance to the governments of Vietnam, Honduras, Korea, Chile, Russia, Latvia, and Ukraine. He has testified before Congress on international trade issues.
Before founding DTB Associates, Craig spent over 15 years with the Foreign Agricultural Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving most recently as director of the Europe, Africa and Middle East division. In that capacity, he managed all aspects of the U.S.-EU agricultural trade relationship and was actively involved in discussions with Europe on approvals of transgenic varieties and the labeling of biotech products. He also served as chief negotiator of the U.S.-EU Veterinary Equivalency Agreement and played a key role in the successful U.S. case in the World Trade Organization against the EU on livestock growth hormones.
Prior to serving in Geneva, Craig was the deputy director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Affairs division of FAS, where he supervised USDA work on the Uruguay Round negotiations. Craig also has extensive experience in EU matters from his service at the U.S. Mission to the European Community in Brussels from 1985 to 1988.
Dru Montri
Feeding America National Office
Vice President, Agri Food Engagement
Dru Montri is the vice president of Agri Food Engagement at Feeding America. She leads a team that collaborates with network members and external partners to collectively advance strategies for increasing the supply of agricultural products including produce, protein, and dairy for people facing hunger.
Dru came to Feeding America with a career foundation in food and agriculture. Most recently, she was the director of government and stakeholder relations for Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She remains an adjunct assistant professor in the MSU Department of Community Sustainability. In addition, she has held a variety of regional food systems positions including serving as the founding executive director of the Michigan Farmers Market Association, executive secretary of the Michigan Meat Association, and chair of the governor appointed bipartisan Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Dru has a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from MSU, a Master of Science in horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University, and a dual degree Doctor of Philosophy in horticulture and community, agriculture, recreation and resource studies with a specialization in gender, justice and environmental change from MSU.
Feeding America National Office
Vice President, Agri Food Engagement
Dru Montri is the vice president of Agri Food Engagement at Feeding America. She leads a team that collaborates with network members and external partners to collectively advance strategies for increasing the supply of agricultural products including produce, protein, and dairy for people facing hunger.
Dru came to Feeding America with a career foundation in food and agriculture. Most recently, she was the director of government and stakeholder relations for Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She remains an adjunct assistant professor in the MSU Department of Community Sustainability. In addition, she has held a variety of regional food systems positions including serving as the founding executive director of the Michigan Farmers Market Association, executive secretary of the Michigan Meat Association, and chair of the governor appointed bipartisan Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Dru has a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from MSU, a Master of Science in horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University, and a dual degree Doctor of Philosophy in horticulture and community, agriculture, recreation and resource studies with a specialization in gender, justice and environmental change from MSU.
Helena Bottemiller Evich
Food Fix
Founder & Editor-in-chief
Helena Bottemiller Evich is an accomplished journalist covering food policy in Washington.
Most recently, she led coverage of food and agriculture issues at POLITICO for nearly a decade, winning numerous awards for her work, including a George Polk Award for a series on climate change and two James Beard Awards for features on nutrition and science. In 2022, she was a James Beard Award finalist for a deep dive on diet-related diseases and Covid-19.
Before launching POLITICO’s food policy coverage in 2013, Helena was the Washington correspondent for Food Safety News where she covered deadly foodborne illness outbreaks and the run-up to Congress passing the most significant update to food safety law in a century.
Helena is a sought-after speaker and commentator on food issues, appearing on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, BBC and NPR, among others. Her work is widely cited in the media and has also been published in the Columbia Journalism Review and on NBC News.
Born and raised in Washington state, Helena attended Claremont McKenna College, where she studied government. She now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, toddler, and tabby cat.
Food Fix
Founder & Editor-in-chief
Helena Bottemiller Evich is an accomplished journalist covering food policy in Washington.
Most recently, she led coverage of food and agriculture issues at POLITICO for nearly a decade, winning numerous awards for her work, including a George Polk Award for a series on climate change and two James Beard Awards for features on nutrition and science. In 2022, she was a James Beard Award finalist for a deep dive on diet-related diseases and Covid-19.
Before launching POLITICO’s food policy coverage in 2013, Helena was the Washington correspondent for Food Safety News where she covered deadly foodborne illness outbreaks and the run-up to Congress passing the most significant update to food safety law in a century.
Helena is a sought-after speaker and commentator on food issues, appearing on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, BBC and NPR, among others. Her work is widely cited in the media and has also been published in the Columbia Journalism Review and on NBC News.
Born and raised in Washington state, Helena attended Claremont McKenna College, where she studied government. She now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, toddler, and tabby cat.
Chip Bowling
Bowling Agri Service Inc
Owner/operator
Chip Bowling is a 7th generation farmer from Newberg in Southern Maryland just 50 miles south of our nation’s capital. Chip is the third generation on the 580-acre home farm that was purchased by his grandfather. His family grew tobacco in 1999, took the tobacco buyout program and today, Chip farms 1,600 acres on 27 farms in Charles County.
Chip became a regional member of the Maryland Grain Producers Association and Utilization Boards in 2006. He attended the 2008 NCGA Leadership Program and later went on to join the 1st Class of the Advanced Leadership Program. He served as president of MGPA from 2009-2011. Chip was appointed to the National Corn Growers Public Policy Action team, where he served for three years and later joined the Ethanol Action Team. Bowling went on to serve as the first president of National Corn Growers Association from Maryland and the only farmer to serve two consecutive terms in the position. His love of public policy and influencing balanced policy decisions for grain producers across the country has earned him the respect of farmers from Nebraska to Virginia and all fields in between.
Chip has spent many an hour on the Hill speaking for farmers. He is as comfortable discussing a Mississippi locks and dams issue as he is about an environmental issue in the Chesapeake Bay watershed or a crop insurance amendment for Texas. Chip has spoken on many national issues including crop insurance, Farm Bill programs, estate tax, and Columbian Free Trade. Chip has been especially influential in the Renewable Fuels Standard as a win-win solution for clean, renewable energy and a market for corn farmers. Chip has used his communications skills to work with Congressional members from across the country as well as his own representative, Congressman Steny Hoyer, whom he has hosted at his farm many times.
What is important about Chip’s visits to D.C. is that he loves it – he is passionate about explaining the value of agriculture and our issues in a way that is effective and credible.
Chip is a leader who never says no, always gets the job done, seeks ways to find a solution, is always looking to make a friend (not an enemy), and promoting agriculture in a positive way. He is passionate and enjoys being part of Maryland grain producers and NCGA.
Bowling Agri Service Inc
Owner/operator
Chip Bowling is a 7th generation farmer from Newberg in Southern Maryland just 50 miles south of our nation’s capital. Chip is the third generation on the 580-acre home farm that was purchased by his grandfather. His family grew tobacco in 1999, took the tobacco buyout program and today, Chip farms 1,600 acres on 27 farms in Charles County.
Chip became a regional member of the Maryland Grain Producers Association and Utilization Boards in 2006. He attended the 2008 NCGA Leadership Program and later went on to join the 1st Class of the Advanced Leadership Program. He served as president of MGPA from 2009-2011. Chip was appointed to the National Corn Growers Public Policy Action team, where he served for three years and later joined the Ethanol Action Team. Bowling went on to serve as the first president of National Corn Growers Association from Maryland and the only farmer to serve two consecutive terms in the position. His love of public policy and influencing balanced policy decisions for grain producers across the country has earned him the respect of farmers from Nebraska to Virginia and all fields in between.
Chip has spent many an hour on the Hill speaking for farmers. He is as comfortable discussing a Mississippi locks and dams issue as he is about an environmental issue in the Chesapeake Bay watershed or a crop insurance amendment for Texas. Chip has spoken on many national issues including crop insurance, Farm Bill programs, estate tax, and Columbian Free Trade. Chip has been especially influential in the Renewable Fuels Standard as a win-win solution for clean, renewable energy and a market for corn farmers. Chip has used his communications skills to work with Congressional members from across the country as well as his own representative, Congressman Steny Hoyer, whom he has hosted at his farm many times.
What is important about Chip’s visits to D.C. is that he loves it – he is passionate about explaining the value of agriculture and our issues in a way that is effective and credible.
Chip is a leader who never says no, always gets the job done, seeks ways to find a solution, is always looking to make a friend (not an enemy), and promoting agriculture in a positive way. He is passionate and enjoys being part of Maryland grain producers and NCGA.
Dr. George Smith
Michigan State University
Senior Associate Dean and Director of AgBioResearch
Dr. George W. Smith is the director of Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch, senior associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and professor of Animal Science at MSU.
In his role as Director, Dr. Smith is responsible for strategic direction and administrative oversight for AgBioResearch, whose university-wide research mission is linked directly to promoting dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment in Michigan and beyond. AgBioResearch directly supports approximately 300 scientists from seven MSU colleges engaged in research, 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan reflective of the diversity of its research portfolio in agriculture and natural resources, and numerous on-campus facilities and key research infrastructure.
Dr. Smith obtained his doctoral and master’s degrees in animal science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his bachelor of science in animal science from the University of Idaho and joined the faculty at MSU in 1997. During his professional career, Dr. Smith published 143 journal articles and 17 book chapters, and his research was continuously funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a member of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Leadership Team, Dr. Smith is also actively engaged in advancing agricultural research and innovations globally to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
Michigan State University
Senior Associate Dean and Director of AgBioResearch
Dr. George W. Smith is the director of Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch, senior associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and professor of Animal Science at MSU.
In his role as Director, Dr. Smith is responsible for strategic direction and administrative oversight for AgBioResearch, whose university-wide research mission is linked directly to promoting dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment in Michigan and beyond. AgBioResearch directly supports approximately 300 scientists from seven MSU colleges engaged in research, 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan reflective of the diversity of its research portfolio in agriculture and natural resources, and numerous on-campus facilities and key research infrastructure.
Dr. Smith obtained his doctoral and master’s degrees in animal science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his bachelor of science in animal science from the University of Idaho and joined the faculty at MSU in 1997. During his professional career, Dr. Smith published 143 journal articles and 17 book chapters, and his research was continuously funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a member of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Leadership Team, Dr. Smith is also actively engaged in advancing agricultural research and innovations globally to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
Karim Maredia
Michigan State University
Professor and Assistant Dean of International Programs
Professor Karim Maredia is an assistant dean and director of International Programs for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. For the past 35 years, Prof. Maredia has worked with numerous international agricultural development projects. Prior to joining MSU, he worked with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico as a research scientist. Prof. Maredia has extensively traveled to more than 60 countries around the world and has disseminated knowledge, information, and new technologies widely to the global agricultural community. He has published more than 100 papers, policy briefs, book chapters, and co-edited eight books.
Since 2017, Prof. Maredia has been serving as a member of the African Union (AU) High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies. He has been actively engaged in empowering young scholars from developing countries and promoting excellence in education. In May 2009, Prof. Maredia was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (doctor honoris causa) by the University of Ricardo Palma in Peru for his contributions to international human resources development. He has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for his extensive global work. Most recently, Prof. Maredia was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in New Delhi, India, in January 2023.
Michigan State University
Professor and Assistant Dean of International Programs
Professor Karim Maredia is an assistant dean and director of International Programs for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. For the past 35 years, Prof. Maredia has worked with numerous international agricultural development projects. Prior to joining MSU, he worked with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico as a research scientist. Prof. Maredia has extensively traveled to more than 60 countries around the world and has disseminated knowledge, information, and new technologies widely to the global agricultural community. He has published more than 100 papers, policy briefs, book chapters, and co-edited eight books.
Since 2017, Prof. Maredia has been serving as a member of the African Union (AU) High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies. He has been actively engaged in empowering young scholars from developing countries and promoting excellence in education. In May 2009, Prof. Maredia was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (doctor honoris causa) by the University of Ricardo Palma in Peru for his contributions to international human resources development. He has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for his extensive global work. Most recently, Prof. Maredia was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in New Delhi, India, in January 2023.