The International Fresh Produce Association has tapped Alexis Taylor to be its new chief global policy officer.
Taylor, who most recently served as the undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the USDA, brings more than two decades of experience in public service in trade and agriculture policy, according to a news release.
IFPA said she will drive its global public policy agenda and lead its government relations team. Taylor will focus on global public policy agenda for the association, and Rebeckah Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations, will lead the domestic policy and grassroots efforts as well as the association’s FreshPAC.
“Alexis’s leadership with us will begin at a very important time,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in the release. “As the world enters a new socio-political era following last year’s elections in more than 70 countries, it is imperative that our industry’s voice has impact. Leveraging her almost 20 years of experience in government, trade, and agriculture, she will help develop and shape our global advocacy efforts to further grow our influence. I’m excited to welcome her to the IFPA team and collaborate with her to drive policy outcomes that will benefit our members and global community.”
Taylor previously held roles on Capitol Hill, at USDA and served as director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture under former Gov. Kate Brown. She is a graduate from Iowa State University and an Army veteran, and she grew up on her family’s heritage farm in Iowa, the release said.
Taylor will officially step into her new role Feb.18.
“I have dedicated my career to supporting agricultural producers and enhancing the competitiveness of the food and agricultural sectors in the global marketplace,” Taylor said. “I’m thrilled to join IFPA to lead the global public policy agenda for the association and the produce and floral industry. I look forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders, governments, and multilateral institutions to ensure a prosperous, sustainable future — critical to growing consumption of fruits and vegetables around the world.”
