The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has hired Colin O’Neil as Senior Vice President to lead public affairs where he will direct legislative and regulatory efforts, political advocacy, and stakeholder engagement for the membership-based trade association representing organic farmers and businesses throughout North America. In this new role, O’Neil will help drive growth of the $76 Billion organic sector by leading public affairs initiatives to build trust in organic, reduce barriers to adoption, strengthen the credibility of the USDA Organic seal, and expand opportunities for organic farmers and businesses. He will also oversee OTA’s political action committee.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has hired Colin O’Neil as Senior Vice President to lead public affairs where he will direct legislative and regulatory efforts, political advocacy, and stakeholder engagement for the membership-based trade association representing organic farmers and businesses throughout North America. In this new role, O’Neil will help drive growth of the $76 Billion organic sector by leading public affairs initiatives to build trust in organic, reduce barriers to adoption, strengthen the credibility of the USDA Organic seal, and expand opportunities for organic farmers and businesses. He will also oversee OTA’s political action committee.
Based in the Washington, DC area, O’Neil is an accomplished public affairs strategist and coalition builder across the food, agriculture, environmental, and public health sectors. Throughout his nearly 20-year career, O’Neil has brought together businesses, policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to advance federal policies addressing organic agriculture, agricultural conservation and climate change, food labeling, chemical regulation, and food safety.
Some of O’Neil’s early priorities at OTA will be to advance the association’s Farm Bill priorities and key policy initiatives such as the Domestic Organic Investment Act (DOIA). Introduced in 2025, O’Neil will help advance the bipartisan, bicameral DOIA legislation that aims to establish a permanent USDA program to expand and modernize the US organic supply chain by providing grants to support domestic organic production.
“Having known Colin for years, based on his successful track record leading policy and advocacy work, we are thrilled to have him join OTA’s leadership team as his expertise and passion for the organic sector will bring tremendous value to our members,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO, Organic Trade Association. “With strong consumer demand and momentum for organic food and fiber, Colin is joining OTA at an excellent time to help us accelerate growth and drive meaningful results.”
— Story contributed by the Organic Trade Association