Alexandria, Virginia, USA
February 19, 2013

American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) VP, Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky, Ph.D., has been promoted to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Domestic and International Policy as part of an overall organization restructuring, announced ASTA president and CEO, Andrew W. LaVigne.

“In terms of experience, knowledge and successful advocacy on behalf of the American seed industry and the overall agricultural industry, Bernice occupies a seat at a very exclusive table,” said LaVigne. “She enjoys a tremendous amount of respect throughout the seed industry and as we expand our legislative and regulatory efforts in the coming years, it makes sense for her to take the lead on behalf of the association and our members.”

Reporting to Ms. Slutsky will be VP, Government Affairs, Jane DeMarchi, who recently joined ASTA from the National Wheat Growers Association; Ric Dunkel, Ph.D., former USDA-APHIS-PPQ Deputy Administrator and current Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade; Pat Miller, Director of State Government Affairs, Lisa Nichols, Director of Science and International Affairs, and Kelly Crist, Manager of Science and International Affairs.

“I am excited to work with our newly formed Domestic and International Policy team, in taking an integrated and proactive approach to our advocacy efforts for the U.S. seed industry on key domestic regulatory and policy issues, as well as in focusing on the ability of our members to do business globally,” said Slutsky.

Prior to joining ASTA in 2006 to work on issues involving emerging technologies, intellectual property rights, and international regulation and trade, Ms. Slutsky coordinated USDA policies and activities in agricultural biotechnology as Senior Advisor for Biotechnology in the Office of the Secretary.

Previously, Dr. Slutsky served as the Assistant Vice President, International Regulatory Affairs at Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (Pharma) in a regulatory advocacy position and as the Biotechnology Coordinator of International Trade Policy at the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service.

Dr. Slutsky earned her doctoral degree in biology from the University of Iowa in 1986.
 

Website: http://www.betterseed.org/

Published: February 19, 2013