WASHINGTON— The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently added two people to its team in the nation’s capital.

The trade association hired Chase Adams as manager of congressional relations in the public policy office. NPPC also hired Annemarie Pender as assistant vice president for marketing and communications. Adams will work with Jack Frye on NPPC’s lobbying team.

“Chase has a lot of experience in the livestock public policy field, so he’ll be a great asset to NPPC,” said Bryan Humphreys, chief executive officer of NPPC. “He’s spent his career in agriculture, advocating on behalf of producers and telling their stories. We’re glad to have him on our team.”

Before working for NPPC, Adams was senior policy and information director for the American Sheep Industry Association. He also previously served as director of communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Adams began working in agriculture as farm director for radio station KBHB in Sturgis, SD. He also practiced law for several years.

A South Dakota native who grew up on the family ranch, Adams received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Black Hills State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He was admitted to the South Dakota Bar in 2009.

Pender previously worked as vice president of communication for Autos Drive America. She also spent 10 years at the Association for Global Automakers, designing and managing large-scale public affairs campaign initiatives, leveraging public relations, advertising, journalism and special events.

“Annemarie is a strategic thinker with 15-plus years of experience, developing and implementing integrated communications and marketing strategies,” Humphreys said. “She’ll be a tremendous asset to NPPC as we look to create a more coordinated marketing and communications plan for the pork industry.”

A native of Florida, Pender received a bachelor’s degree in history from Christopher Newport University and a master’s in public communications from American University, where she taught strategic communications for several years as an adjunct professor.

“I’m excited to be working for an industry that supports more than half a million US jobs and provides safe, high-quality pork for consumers here and around the world,” Pender said. “I look forward to helping NPPC achieve its public policy objectives and telling the story about America’s 60,000 pork producers’ commitment to caring for their animals, employees, communities and the environment.”