USAEDC Announces New Executive Director and Management Team

December 5, 2024 USAEDC Announces New Executive Director and Management Team 1

The U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) is delighted to announce it has selected DTB AgriTrade LLP for its new association management team. For the last several months, the USAEDC Executive Committee solicited, reviewed and interviewed a wide range of candidates for the role, and on December 3, 2024 DTB AgriTrade was formally selected with Steve Sothmann appointed to serve as the organization’s new Executive Director.

 

USAEDC Executive Committee Chair Chair, Greg Tyler stated, “the USAEDC Executive Committee and Board of Directors are thrilled with this selection and look forward to the DTB team’s leadership in guiding USAEDC. We are confident in their ability to advance the organization, building on our past successes while addressing the new challenges and opportunities faced by the 70+ agricultural trade associations that make up this unique group. We also deeply appreciate the continued support and partnership of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and trust that the DTB team will work to further strengthen this collaboration, enhancing our joint efforts to expand U.S. agricultural exports worldwide.” 

 

The new management team brings strong connections with the Cooperator community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, as well as a deep understanding of the complex challenges that face U.S. agriculture. In addition, since August 2024 the DTB AgriTrade team has served as the  acting interim caretakers of USAEDC, successfully organizing and executing the Association’s  Annual Workshop last month. DTB will ensure a smooth transition for USAEDC and guide it into its next chapter.

 

As Executive Director, Steve Sothmann will bring strategic leadership, guidance, and vision to USAEDC. Steve is deeply familiar with and committed to the mission of USAEDC, its membership, and its importance to the broader Cooperator community. A trade lawyer by training, Steve joined DTB AgriTrade in 2024 as a Partner, and has over a decade of experience in chief executive roles for agricultural trade associations, including cooperator groups. He brings exemplary skills in consensus building, relationship management, advocacy, international trade expertise, market access and expansion, and grant program management to this role.

 

Gina Tumbarello will be joining DTB as a partner in February 2025, at which time she will also assume the role of Managing Director for USAEDC. In this capacity, she will oversee all aspects of USAEDC’s vision, mission, and strategic goals, while managing its day-to-day operations. Gina brings a wealth of experience as she transitions from her roles as Senior Director of Global Strategies, Policy, and Trade at the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Executive Director of the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA). A highly respected leader in international trade, policy, and association management, Gina has nearly two decades of expertise in advancing U.S. agricultural export initiatives.

 

They will be supported by Anna Thorn as Communications Director and Violeta Gutierrez as Member  Services Director. Any member of the USAEDC team will be happy to field your questions or direct you to the right point of contact. Please reach out to us at info@usaedc.org. The roles of each team member are:

 

  • Steve Sothmann: primary staff liaison to Executive Committee & Officers, external partnerships & relationship manager, FAS leadership engagement, advising membership on issues.
  • Gina Tumbarello: starting Feb. 3, chief program implementer, committee manager, meeting planning and sponsorship lead, FAS engagement, general USAEDC business operations.
  • Anna Thorn: Midweek Express newsletter, press releases, website edits, social media.
  • Violeta Gutierrez: membership services, new member applications, dues billing, membership lists.