Washington, District of Columbia, United States
New email address -- [email protected] (effective 7/29/24) gmail is no longer in use Thomas Hammer is an Agricultural & Trade Policy Association senior operating executive with several decades of experience in the national and global agricultural and trade policy arena. He has extensive knowledge of working with government and the private sector with expertise and broad knowledge of how to maximize the opportunities and minimize risks during this era of unprecedented growth in the U.S. oilseed industry. Over the span of Tom’s career, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Chief Executive Officer of national trade associations representing farmers, ranchers, food and beverage manufacturers, and agricultural processors and exporters. Over the course of Tom’s career, he has been involved in every major farm bill and significant U.S. bilateral, regional, and multilateral free trade negotiation. He has a vast network of contacts within the private and public sectors – both nationally and internationally. Tom is a highly sought after subject matter expert and speaker on the global oilseed sector and the state of the U.S. oilseed processing industry, as well as agricultural policy, managing trade barriers, and international trade irritants to both international and domestic audiences.
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain, including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the U.S. soybean checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) matching funds, and industry. Engaged by USSEC to serve as an Executive Advisor to the CEO and USSEC’s staff in the complex area of agriculture and international trade.
Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Washington, DC, NOPA is a member-driven trade association that represents companies that produce meal and oils from soybeans, canola, flax safflower, and sunflower seeds in the United States. NOPA’s membership includes 15 companies that are engaged in the processing of oilseeds for meal and oil that are further utilized in the manufacture of food, feed, bio-based products and renewable fuels. NOPA’s member companies operate a total of five softseed and 62 soybean solvent extraction plants across 21 states. Collectively, NOPA’s members process more than 95% of all soybean crushed in the United States. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, responsible for the overall leadership and association management and operations, strategic advisor to the Board of Directors, Committees and Subcommittees, overall policy development and coordination, implementation of strategic initiatives, staff leadership and administration. Responsibilities included developing and maintaining oilseed value chain relations, advancing domestic policy initiatives, and enhancing global trade initiatives through. Numerous accomplishments include but not limited to establishing a “stand alone” trade association, working with U.S. trade negotiators, collaboration with value-chain partners, development and implementation of NOPA’s 2018 -2022 and 2023 - 2028 strategic plans.
A consulting firm specializing in agribusiness, international trade, and risk management. Partial client list included the Sweetener Users Association, Kraft Foods, General Mills. Inc., and M & M Mars. Provided advice and strategic solutions regarding foreign market trade access issues, tariff and non-tariff import barriers, and risk management strategies for purchases of commodities and paper products.
SUA represents industrial manufacturers of nutritive sweetened products and beverages, and advocates for legislative and regulatory reforms that will make U.S. sugar policy more market-oriented, both domestically and internationally, so that consumers are not forced to pay high prices that result from federal government subsidies and trade barriers. Affected the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow more imports of foreign sugar when the domestic stocks-to-use sugar ration fell below a specified level, thereby increasing supplies of sugar available to domestic users and lowering U.S. sweetener prices.
Law firm combining lobbying and legal practice on behalf of its clients. Represented firm’s client on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Commerce Department, on agricultural and international trade issues. Assisted clients with international trade disputes before U.S. federal agencies and the World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva, Switzerland.