IFPA Welcomes John Torres as Vice President of U.S. Government Relations
July 28, 2026 | 3 min to read
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2026 – As the International Fresh Produce Association continues to advance its public policy priorities on behalf of its members in the global fresh produce and floral community, the organization has hired seasoned government affairs and association management professional John Torres to lead the U.S. Government Relations team. He will officially join IFPA on August 10 and report to IFPA Chief Global Policy Officer Alexis Taylor.
“Members have told us advocacy is their top priority, and we’re excited to add a leader and policy expert of John’s caliber to IFPA,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “His experience and strong connections with legislators will further enhance our advocacy efforts on issues ranging from trade to nutrition to production and more as we continue to ensure our members have a policy-driven, enabling business environment.”
With nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, food, environment, and life sciences policy, Torres will lead IFPA’s U.S. advocacy, government relations, grassroots engagement, and political affairs strategy. He will also oversee the association’s political action committee (FreshPAC) and strengthen the organization’s voice in Washington, DC.
“John’s expertise on policy issues such as the farm bill, appropriations, trade, and environment is a strong complement to the skills already present in our existing Government Relations team,” said IFPA’s Taylor. “Our members will appreciate the depth of his knowledge as we continue to fight for fresh together.”
Prior to joining IFPA, Torres was a principal with the Bockorny Group, a DC-based boutique multi-client government relations firm, where he led the firm’s work in food, agriculture, animal health, life sciences and rural development. He has also held leadership roles across the Farm Bureau network, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, and rthe Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
“Farming is an important part of who I am having grown up on a grain farm in northwest Ohio and spent my career in the agriculture industry,” said Torres. “The opportunity to be part of IFPA and serve the fresh produce and floral community is exciting, given the focus on human health, environmental sustainability, and farming practices in policy circles today. I also appreciate IFPA’s focus on growing and developing talent which closely relates to my involvement in 4-H and FFA both as a student and a volunteer of those two organizations”
Torres’ roots in agriculture run deep, as he began his career as a commodities trader with Archer Daniels Midland, a Fortune 100 multinational agribusiness, where he managed grain origination, hedging, and transportation logistics across the Midwest. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from The Ohio State University, with a major in Agricultural Business and Applied Economics and a minor in Agricultural Education. He also holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.