How the November Elections Might Impact Food Policy

Tony Pavel (Moderator)

General Counsel, FEMA

Anthony (Tony) Pavel is a globally recognized expert in food law, and a Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP, an international law firm with a broad practice in the areas of regulatory law, public policy, and litigation. Mr. Pavel is a trusted advisor and team-oriented leader, with decades of experience managing multi-disciplinary projects, balancing the diverse regulatory interests of numerous industry groups, and providing regulatory compliance and strategic counseling to a broad range of food, feed and biotechnology companies.

John Hewitt

Senior Vice President, State Affairs, Consumer Brands Association

John Hewitt is senior vice president of state affairs at the Consumer Brands Association. Hewitt leads the packaging sustainability efforts on behalf of the CPG industry and oversees all state advocacy strategy and engagement. He brings extensive knowledge of sustainability initiatives, including the recycling system, and years of state and federal policy experience.

With a combination of association, political and agency experience, Hewitt has worked on many successful ballot initiatives, legislative and regulatory measures. In addition to his professional experience, he has sat on several non-profit boards and was an elected school board member for nearly 12 years.

Hewitt joined the Consumer Brands Association from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), where he served as both special counsel to the secretary and as the agency’s general counsel. At the department, Hewitt was responsible for complex litigation and regulatory matters as well as represented the department on interagency initiatives, such as the governor’s drought task force and international climate change program.

Prior to CDFA Hewitt worked at the California Farm Bureau, where he played a key role in developing strategic water quality initiatives, including managing activities with local and state regulators as well as litigation development.

A native of Northern California, Hewitt graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and a minor in water science. Hewitt also holds a juris doctor from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law and is admitted to practice law by the California Bar as well as the United States Supreme Court. He lives in Pleasant Grove, California, and enjoys cooking family meals using his favorite CPG products — especially hot sauce.

Christine Burgeson

Executive Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, American Beverage Association

As American Beverage Association’s Executive Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Christine Burgeson leads the non-alcoholic beverage industry’s government affairs, public affairs and public policy portfolio. In this role, she oversees the team responsible for all aspects of advocacy and communications, as well as the organization’s environmental and health initiatives. Prior to joining American Beverage Association, she served as Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs for Airlines for America, the national trade association representing the largest U.S. passenger and cargo airlines. Prior to her work for the airlines, Christine was Vice President for Federal Government Affairs at Citi and served as the lead Senate lobbyist in the D.C. office. A significant part of her career has been spent in government, having served in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget for President George W. Bush. Christine also worked in the Senate for former Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).