WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Eric J. Steiner will join the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) as director of government affairs for farm policy on Monday, Aug. 30, the NAWG announced on Aug. 24.

In his new role, Steiner will lead the organization’s efforts on farm policy, crop insurance, transportation and trade issues. He will be the primary NAWG staff member working on the association’s proposals for Title I programs and crop insurance in the next farm bill, and he will administer WheatPAC, the wheat industry’s political action committee.

"We are excited to have someone with deep Hill, USDA and law experience on our team," said NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson. "Eric brings many skills and experiences to our table, and I know our growers and officers are looking forward to working with him on major legislative priorities in the coming years."

Steiner is a seasoned public official who has worked in both the legislative and executive branches since coming to Washington in 2002.

From 2003 until 2007, Steiner was a professional staff member at the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he worked on nutrition, food aid, trade, agricultural research and rural development policy.

He later moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), where he served as associate administrator and later as chief of staff, supervising 1,300 employees and managing a $60 billion budget.

While at the Senate and FNS, he also attended George Mason University School of Law. Since 2009, he has put his legal education into practice in the office of the general counsel at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

"I am excited to represent wheat growers’ concerns for the present and ideas for the future, and I look forward to working with the wider agricultural community and other partners to build upon NAWG’s effectiveness with Congress and the Administration," Steiner said.

Steiner grew up on a small family farm in Indiana and served as a state officer for the Indiana FFA between high school and college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Purdue University before coming to Washington.

Steiner resides with his wife in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S., and is active in his church and community. He is also a marathon runner and an aspiring triathlete.