The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has appointed Gregory Conner as senior manager of multilateral affairs and market access, a new role that will support the organization’s global trade policy, regulatory engagement and international market access initiatives.
In this position, Conner will help represent AFIA in multilateral trade discussions, advocate for science-based international regulations, and communicate priorities to policymakers.
“Greg’s deep experience in international development and trade policy, along with his proven leadership in managing global fellowship programs, make him an invaluable addition,” said Mallory Gaines, AFIA’s director of global affairs. “We’re excited for the expertise and fresh perspective he brings to our multilateral affairs and market access initiatives.”
Conner, from Bellingham, Washington, U.S., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Western Washington University. His background includes teaching English in North Macedonia through the Peace Corps and working as an international program specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There, he managed USDA’s Cochran and Borlaug Fellowship Programs across 14 countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, supporting an average of 35 fellows per year and overseeing a dozen grant awards annually.
In conjunction with Conner’s appointment, AFIA also announced promotions within its global affairs team. Gaines, who has led AFIA’s international policy strategy since 2019, has been promoted to director of global affairs. Ivy Torres, who joined AFIA in 2023, was promoted to manager of global programs.
“Mallory has been an invaluable asset to our global affairs efforts since 2019, demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision in advancing international policy,” said Leah Wilkinson, AFIA vice president of public policy and education. “With Ivy’s strong background in global programs and her contributions since joining the AFIA, I’m confident that this team will continue to elevate AFIA’s presence and impact in international markets.”
