Posts By: Wendy Fink-Weber

Congress Introduces Trade Promotion Legislation; Western Growers Urges Swift Action

Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. This agreement is a critical first step to concluding trade negotiations and further expanding export opportunities. In response to the introduction of the legislation,…

ICYMI — Western Growers in the News

A lot was happening around the holidays.  Over the last two weeks, Western Growers has had several media opportunities and, in case you missed them, we wanted to bring them to your attention. On December 26th the Hill, a popular insider Capitol Hill newspaper, published an op-ed by Western Growers president and CEO Tom Nassif ...

WG Board Members Conclude Sacramento Meeting

The Western Growers Board of Directors wrapped up its Sacramento board meeting today with Chairman Vic Smith leading board members through a comprehensive discussion of issues affecting the industry, including water, labor and workplace rules, food safety, trade, and transportation issues. Governor Jerry Brown visited with Executive Committee members on Monday to begin this week's ...

Western Growers Forms Partnership with Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

On February 25 in Denver, the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA) and Western Growers (WG) announced a strategic collaboration between their respective specialty crop grower trade associations.  The two associations have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows them to work together on federal policy issues, food safety and other policy issues of mutual…

Statement from Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif on Governor Jerry Brown’s $1 Billion Emergency Drought Legislative Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Wendy Fink-Weber Senior Director of Communications (949) 885-2256 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 “Today the Governor said that if the drought continues, ‘there will be restrictions’ on water use by all Californians.  This may be interpreted by some to mean that so far, there…

Western Growers Steps Up to Advance Ag Technology: Will Join Forces with SVG Partners

Becomes Strategic Partner of Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit IRVINE, Calif. (April 22, 2015) —Western Growers and Silicon Valley Global Partners (SVG Partners) are entering into an exclusive strategic alliance agreement to find, accelerate, advance and invest in innovative solutions intended to solve critical challenges to production agriculture through technology and produce…

Western Growers Urges Senators to Pass TPA bill without Controversial Amendments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Wendy Fink-Weber Senior Director of Communications (949) 885-2256 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 Western Growers urges Senators to oppose controversial or “poison pill” amendments to Trade Promotion Authority legislation as the Senate approaches completion of considering this…

Western Growers Applauds Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Legislation; Urges Swift Action in the House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Wendy Fink-Weber Senior Director of Communications (949) 885-2256 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 Today, by a vote of 62 to 37, the United States Senate passed The Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, which would renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the…

Western Growers Applauds House Passage of Trade Promotion Legislation, Urges Agreement on TAA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Wendy Fink-Weber Senior Director of Communications (949) 885-2256 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 IRVINE, Calif. (June 12, 2015) — Today, by a vote of 219 to 211, the House of Representatives passed the portion of the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015…

PRESS RELEASE: Western Growers Hails Passage of Trade Bill in Senate; Awaits Presidential Bill Signing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Wendy Fink-Weber Senior Director of Communications (949) 885-2256 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 IRVINE, Calif. (June 24, 2015) — Today, by a vote of 60 to 38, the Senate passed legislation renewing Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the Administration. With the Senate’s…

Western Growers Announces Support of Western Water Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For interviews, contact:         Cory Lunde Director of Strategic Initiatives & Communications (949) 885-2264 or Jeff Janas Communications Manager (949) 885-2318 IRVINE, Calif. (June 25, 2015) — Statement by Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif in support of the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015…

David M. Gowan, Sr. Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives

“Coming from a rural district like mine, we believe in our liberties and freedom.  We believe so much in family values and freedom…just freedom.”   (Editor’s Note: The questions and answers have been paraphrased for brevity and clarity.)   David Gowan, a Republican, was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2009.  He ...

California Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) represents the 9th District, which includes parts of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt and Lodi.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper was elected to the California Assembly in 2014.  He serves on the agriculture committee, among others, and was formerly the mayor of Elk Grove while serving as a captain in the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.   What experiences in life brought you into the political arena? I worked in law enforcement for ...