The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is excited to announce the hiring of Amelia Iliohan as associate director of events and member engagement.

As associate director, Iliohan will plan, manage, and execute NASDA’s annual conferences and assist NASDA’s regional and affiliate organizations with meeting programming. Iliohan will also help strengthen NASDA’s member engagement through coordinating events designed to facilitate relationship building and cross-collaboration amongst states.

“I am eager for the opportunity to join the talented and innovative team at NASDA,” said Iliohan. “My love and investment in the NASDA mission stems from a rural Kentucky upbringing, while my professional experience has fostered a passion for agriculture at global scale.”

She continued, “I am thrilled that my new role has the potential to set the tone for how NASDA members, staff and stakeholders invest in the mission of the American agriculture industry solely by their experience at one of our events. I look forward to learning from the NASDA team and its members.”

Iliohan brings experience in event and project management from her former positions with the U.S. Grains Council and American Farm Bureau Federation. Iliohan also holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in agriculture education and communication from the University of Florida. Iliohan has received the distinguished honor of “Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture & Kentucky Colonel” for her volunteer work and has received multiple honors from her time serving Kentucky 4-H Foundation and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food & Environment Alumni organization.