Key Takeaways
- New Co-CEOs at OTA: Tom Chapman and Matthew Dillon were appointed as co-CEOs of the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
- Expanding OTA’s Vision: The new leadership aims to accelerate OTA’s work and achieve strategic objectives in the organic sector.
- Deep Industry Experience: Chapman and Dillon bring over 40 years of combined experience in various aspects of the organic industry.
- Strategic Focus on Organic Sector Growth: The co-CEOs will guide OTA in supporting the expansion and improvement of the organic sector.
- OTA’s Role in Organic Trade: As the leading voice for organic trade in the U.S., OTA represents a wide range of organic businesses and advocates for organic agriculture.
OTA’s Leadership Transition and Organic Sector Dynamics
Introduction of Co-CEOs
The Organic Trade Association announces Tom Chapman and Matthew Dillon as its new co-CEOs, a move reflecting the association’s growing vision and the dynamic opportunities in the organic sector. This leadership change is supported by OTA’s Board of Directors and President Tracy Favre, who sees it as a strategic step to broaden the association’s impact.
Chapman and Dillon’s Expertise
Tom Chapman and Matthew Dillon bring a wealth of experience to OTA. Chapman, who joined OTA in April 2022, has a 20-year background in organic policy, certification, and supply chains, with roles at Quality Assurance International, Clif Bar & Company, and others. Dillon’s agricultural roots and diverse roles in the organic food and farming sector, including at Clif Bar & Company and Farmer Focus, enrich his perspective.
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
As co-CEO, Chapman will focus on OTA’s regulatory, technical affairs, program development, and operations, while Dillon will oversee public relations, policy agenda, member engagement, and fundraising. Their combined expertise positions OTA to effectively address the challenges and opportunities in the organic sector.
Organic Sector Growth and OTA’s Role
The U.S. organic sector has reached a record $67.6 billion in sales in 2022, reflecting the growing consumer interest in organic products for their environmental, nutritional, and social benefits. As the leading voice for organic trade, OTA plays a pivotal role in strengthening organic businesses and promoting organic agriculture.
OTA’s Expanding Activities
OTA’s activities span advocating for organic on Capitol Hill, developing business services for members, forming new councils and task forces, and participating in climate-smart discussions. The association’s growing diversity and entrepreneurship program also highlight its commitment to the evolving organic sector.
Organic Trade Association Latest News
Applauds Introduction of Organic Market Development Act (2023/09/28)
The Organic Trade Association has endorsed the Organic Market Development Act (OMD) to fund increased processing capacity, market development activities, and targeted equipment purchases. The legislation aims to address supply chain gaps and support organic farmers and businesses by offering grants administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The Act maintains existing funding of $75 million annually with additional authorization for appropriations of $15 million for 2024 and each fiscal year after that. This financial backing is expected to enable more domestic producers to capitalize on the growing organic market, which has reached over $67 billion in size.
Photo by Ronan Furuta on Unsplash
