The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced three new staff members to strengthen its policy engagement, education and communications operations.
Alison Foster joins as manager of policy engagement, a new role designed to coordinate advocacy initiatives and support development of federal and state policy priorities. Foster previously worked in government relations, communications and member relations at the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the Education Finance Council. She holds a master's degree in philosophy and international affairs from American University and a bachelor's degree in media and communications from Florida State University.
Mary Gray Holdren joins as manager of education programs, another new position created to provide professional development opportunities to member employees. The role involves designing educational content, collaborating with stakeholders, identifying emerging needs, monitoring policy changes and developing multimedia assets.
Holdren previously worked at Mountaire Farms in North Carolina, progressing from feed mill intern to agri-business specialist, where she directed compliance programs and developed workforce training. She holds feed industry certifications for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual.
Holdren earned her bachelor's degree in agricultural science with minors in feed mill management and poultry science from North Carolina State University, where she is pursuing a Master of Science in agricultural leadership development.
Margo Nagle joins the communications team as communications specialist to support multimedia communications efforts. She will collaborate with AFIA's policy team on stakeholder communications and support membership recruitment and retention. Nagle recently graduated from Ohio State University with dual bachelor's degrees in economics and communications analysis and engagement. She completed communications internships with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Franklin County Auditor's Office in Ohio.
"Over the past year, the AFIA has strategically assessed our members' changing operating environment and, in response, identified new areas of excellence," said AFIA president and CEO Constance Cullman. "These exciting new roles will elevate the AFIA's ability to better meet the needs of our members."
