Two IDFA staff members are slated to serve in key USDA positions. Mike Torrey, currently IDFA’s v.p. of legislative affairs, will serve as the department’s deputy assistant secretary for congressional relations, where he will coordinate legislative affairs for USDA. Floyd Gaibler, previously an executive at IDFA and the National Cheese Institute, will become USDA’s deputy under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS), providing leadership to FFAS agencies and programs such as the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Farm Service Agency and the Commodity Credit Corporation.

“USDA is getting two consummate professionals with Mike and Floyd joining its team,” says IDFA Executive Vice President Connie Tipton. Torrey has more than 13 years of experience in policy development and association management. Gaibler’s 27-year career in agriculture already includes nine years at USDA. He most recently was with Lesher & Russell Inc., a consulting firm specializing in agricultural, food and trade policy issues.