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“As someone who firmly believes in the unconditional love between humans and their pets—the human-animal bond—I am honored to have led this organization for more than seven years, and to have worked alongside my colleagues, who impress me every day,” said Brooks. “I am fortunate to continue my work through April 2026 in guiding PFI and advancing the interests of our members to help cats and dogs live long and healthy lives, even as we plan for the transition to new leadership.”

Brooks has served since 2018 as President and CEO of PFI, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and whose members make the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the United States. Brooks is a trusted advisor in the pet food industry. She has lived and worked in D.C. for more than 25 years, representing a range of agricultural interests. Before joining PFI, Brooks was the senior director of government relations at Land O’Lakes, Inc., director of government relations for Elanco Animal Health, senior vice president of government relations at the National Milk Producers Federation and director of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“We are deeply grateful for Dana’s dedicated service to PFI and the pet food industry. Her leadership has been instrumental to the success of our work,” said Scott Salmon, president at Simmon’s Pet Food and Pet Food Institute Board Chair. “Dana’s impact over the last seven-and-a-half-years is immeasurable, and she will be deeply missed. We wish her all the best as she begins her next chapter.”

Brooks was named a Woman of Influence by Pet Age and to its Power 50 list, which recognizes the pet industry’s most impactful and influential people. She also served on the Board of Pet Partners from 2018 until 2025, and she received the Women in Agribusiness Ambassador Award.

A Board search committee has been established and will work in partnership with an executive search firm to guide the process. Brooks and the PFI Board are committed to ensuring a seamless, stable transition that preserves continuity in leadership and operations, reinforcing the organization’s strong momentum and enduring commitment to ensuring safe, healthy pet food for the dogs and cats in 94 million U.S. households.

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“PFI looks forward to working with Under Secretary Hoskins to ensure safe pet food and treats for cats and dogs in the 94 million U.S. households that own a pet, and pets around the world,” said Dana Brooks, PFI’s president and CEO. “With U.S. pet food exports reaching over $2.5 billion in 2024, the Under Secretary’s confirmation comes at a pivotal time of global expansion of the U.S. pet food industry, and we’re eager to work with him through USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and its Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program to continue promoting U.S. pet food promotion in key foreign markets.” 

Since 1993, PFI has engaged in export promotion through MAP, which supports global promotion of U.S. agricultural goods. PFI has used the program to promote U.S. pet food in key foreign markets, with products shipped to over 90 countries. As a cooperator in MAP, PFI uses USDA grant funds to engage in marketing activities across 18 countries to promote the safety and quality of U.S. pet food. 

U.S. pet food manufacturers stimulate the country’s overall agricultural and rural economies through the purchase of ingredients, labor and services from related industries. PFI’s member companies manufacture pet food in 34 states, employ over 35,000 people and generate nearly 400,000 jobs in associated industries. U.S. pet food makers produce more than 9.8 million tons of food a year.  

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About Pet Food Institute: 

Established in 1958, PFI is the trade association representing U.S. cat and dog food manufacturers providing complete and balanced nutrition for the dogs and cats in 94 million U.S. households. Our members account for most of the dog and cat food made in the United States, with more than $65 billion in domestic annual dog and cat food and treats sales and annual exports of more than $2.4 billion. PFI’s members collectively contribute to rural communities’ vibrancy by employing over 35,000 people in 34 states, purchasing over $13.2 billion in agricultural inputs from U.S. farmers and ranchers. Visit petfoodinstitute.org to learn more. 

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As trade associations representing farmers, ranchers, fishermen, producers, agribusiness and
rural America, we write in strong support of the nomination of Dr. Julie Callahan by President
Trump as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Dr. Callahan brings a deep understanding of global agricultural trade – rooted in her service
since 2016 at the Office of the United States Trade Representative overseeing agricultural
affairs and commodity policy – and a proven record advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture
in complex negotiations. She has worked repeatedly with our organizations on behalf of
American agriculture to level the playing field and knock down unfair barriers to trade. Swiftly
confirming her and filling this position is vitally important as negotiations continue on reciprocal
tariffs and access for U.S. agricultural products with dozens of countries.

We look forward to working alongside Dr. Callahan to further strengthen American agricultural
competitiveness in international markets, reduce unfair trade barriers, and support profitability
across the entire agricultural supply chain. Her leadership will be a significant asset to all of us
as we face evolving global challenges and opportunities.

We strongly urge the Committee to advance Dr. Callahan’s nomination in a timely manner, so
she may use her Ambassadorial status in the current and future trade negotiations for the
benefit of American agriculture.

Regards,

Agricultural Retailers Association
Agriculture Transportation Coalition
Agriculture Transportation Working Group
Almond Alliance
American Cotton Shippers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Frozen Food Institute
American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
AmericanHort
Animal Health Institute
California Alfalfa and Forage Association
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Cherry Growers and Industry Association
California Grain and Feed Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Prune Board
California Seed Association
California State Floral Association
California Sweet Potato Council
California Warehouse Association
CEA Alliance
Consumer Brands Association
Corn Refiners Association
Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative
Farm Credit Council
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
Growth Energy
Illinois Soybean Growers
Independent Bakers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Fresh Produce Association
Meat Import Council of America
Meat Institute
Michigan Agri-Business Association
Midsouth Grain Association
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Barley Growers Association
National Chicken Council
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Fisheries Institute
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pecan Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Sunflower Association
National Turkey Federation
North American Blueberry Council
North American Export Grain Association
North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
North Dakota Grain Dealers Association
Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pacific Seed Association
Pet Food Institute
Renewable Fuels Association
Sweetener Users Association
Texas Grain & Feed Association
The Fertilizer Institute
The Hardwood Federation
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Canola Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
U.S. Peanut Federation
U.S. Wheat Associates
United Dairymen of Arizona
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council
USA Pulses
USA Rice
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington Red Raspberry Commission
Western Growers
Wine Institute

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The Pet Food Institute (PFI), whose members make the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the United States, has announced two staff promotions: Atalie Ebersole has been named Vice President of Government Relations and Dana Waters is now Director of International Affairs.

• Atalie Ebersole brings nearly 30 years of public policy experience, gained through her work in the 8^th district of Missouri, on Capitol Hill and as a lobbyist in both the professional services industry and the nonprofit sector. She joined PFI more than five years ago as Executive Assistant and most recently served as Senior Director of Government Relations. In her new expanded role, Ebersole will continue to lead PFI’s federal policy efforts, including serving as a federal lobbyist, managing the Pet Food Institute Pet PAC, assisting the PFI policy team in areas of advocacy and serving as a liaison for PFI members.

• Previously serving as Manager of International Affairs for PFI, Dana Waters will be the primary contact with U.S. government officials regarding international trade, represent PFI in coalitions dedicated to trade and manage PFI’s International Trade Subcommittee. Waters joined PFI about three years ago after graduating from Georgia State University in Atlanta with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in international affairs.

“Atalie and Dana have both demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout their time at PFI,” said PFI’s President and CEO, Dana Brooks. “Their promotions are a well-earned recognition of the meaningful impact they’ve had on our members, our team and the entire pet food industry.”

ABOUT PET FOOD INSTITUTE

Established in 1958, PFI is the trade association representing U.S. cat and dog food manufacturers providing complete and balanced nutrition for the dogs and cats in 94 million U.S. households. Our members account for most of the dog and cat food made in the United States, with more than $65 billion in domestic annual dog and cat food and treats sales and annual exports of more than $2.4 billion. PFI’s members collectively contribute to rural communities’ vibrancy by employing over 35,000 people in 34 states.

Visit petfoodinstitute.org to learn more. 

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