The Board of Directors of the American Seed Trade Association elected Andrew W. LaVigne as the organization's new President and CEO. LaVigne replaces outgoing President and CEO Dick Crowder, who was recently confirmed as the new Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.LaVigne has been the Executive Director and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual for the past seven years. Mutual is a trade association of more than 10,500 members charged with representing the production, processing and regulatory issues that face citrus growers at the regional, state, national and international levels. Prior to joining Mutual, LaVigne was the Executive Director of the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association for over four years. He also spent a decade in Washington, D.C. working in Congress and at USDA."I am extremely honored and excited about the opportunity to join ASTA," says Andy LaVigne. "The seed industry has numerous possibilities to impact issues that are fundamental to U.S. agriculture and it is imperative that we are at the table for the development of those policies. I am looking forward to working with the Board, members and staff to ensure the issues impacting the industry are proactively addressed and promoted at every level."Currently, Mr. LaVigne serves or has served on the USDA Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee; USDA Agriculture Technical Advisory Committee on Trade for Horticultural Products; USDA-APHIS Systems Approach Review Group; U.S. Specialty Crop Alliance; United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Allied Council; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Food and Agriculture Committee; and several other state and national industry committees and advisory groups.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.