Political Advocacy Webinar  

Speakers

Matthew joined Western Growers in December 2011. He advocates on behalf of the membership on a wide array of issues including labor, taxes, air quality, land use, regulatory reform, and crop protection.

Matthew’s previous experience includes serving as the External Relations Manager at the California Optometric Association, Field Representative for former Assembly member Roger Niello, and Supplier Manager at Intel Corporation. He also served in several positions at the California Restaurant Association including as Public Affairs Director where he created and developed the association’s first ever public affairs department. In this role, Matthew was responsible for helping to shape, manage, and implement the overall political strategy for the association.

Born in Elk Grove and a member of a farm family, he received his B.A. and International M.B.A. from the University of San Diego.

Tracey serves Western Growers in Washington, D.C. as the Federal Government Affairs Director. In her role she covers international trade policy, transportation, sustainability, and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs including specialty crop research and marketing. She assists with trade casework directly for members, tackling new or ongoing export-import issues, monitoring protocol changes in foreign markets, and coordinating frequently with USDA and USTR. Currently, the reauthorization of the Farm Bill is her top portfolio item.

Prior to joining Western Growers, she was a longtime staffer for former U.S. House Representative Jeff Denham of California; as a Legislative Assistant she managed his work on the House Agriculture Committee, such as the 2018 Farm Bill, as well as trade and agricultural labor issues.

Hailing from California’s San Joaquin Valley, Tracey grew up in Easton and was active on her family’s farm and in her local 4-H and FFA chapters. She graduated as a Dean’s Medalist with a B.A. in political science from California State University-Fresno, finding her way to Washington, D.C. as a Costa Scholar through the renowned Kenneth L. Maddy Legislative Intern Scholar Program. In her spare time Tracey enjoys recreational softball and volunteers at the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Small Mammal House.