WASHINGTON — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) appointed Wendy Brannen as its new vice president of communications and marketing, effective June 16.

“Wendy has unique depth and breadth of experience in many facets of communications and marketing — and she understands the importance of agriculture,” said Bryan Humphreys, chief executive officer of NPPC. “We are pleased that she will be using her expertise to serve and support US pork producers.”

Brannen brings 20 years of experience directing agriculture trade associations and their marketing and communications strategies to her new role.

Most recently, Brannen served as senior director of marketing and communications for the American Soybean Association (ASA). Her tenure with ASA began in 2018 as director of policy communications before shifting to lead the marketing communications department a year later. Brannen has led media relations and other communications initiatives during two trade wars, a pandemic and several policy matters, including biotechnology, farm bill, transportation and infrastructure, pesticides, conservation, biofuels, and trade.

Brannen has previous agriculture experience as the former executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee, through communications for the US Apple Association and as the former executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission in California.

Before entering the food and agriculture industry, Brannen worked throughout the southeast as a television news journalist both as a general assignment reporter and news anchor.

Brannen earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a broadcast journalism emphasis at the University of North Florida as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Georgia.