ASTA Staff

	Andrew W. “Andy” LaVigne President and CEO
Andy has had a 25-year career in government relations, public affairs advocacy and management. Within the areas of agriculture, food policy and international trade, he has a broad range of expertise. Prior to being named CEO of ASTA in 2006, Andy was Executive Vice President/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, representing citrus growers on issues affecting their business. Earlier, he spent four years as President and Executive Director of Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association, a non-profit agricultural trade organization representing companies that specialize in crop protection and plant nutrition products. Andy has served on the Agriculture Trade Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables for USDA; Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee for the USDA and USTR; USDA-APHIS Systems Approach Review Group; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Food and Agriculture Committee; and several other state and national industry committees and advisory groups. Prior to entering the association management field, Andy worked for a decade on Capitol Hill, as Legislative Director for Rep. Charles Canady and earlier, as Agriculture Committee staffer for Rep. Tom Lewis. He holds a B.A. in political science with a minor in economics from the University of Florida.
	Kelly Crist Manager, Science & International Affairs
Kelly Crist joined the staff of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) in January 2012. As the Manager for Science and International Affairs, her main role is to provide administrative management for ASTA’s activities under the USDA Cooperator Program. Kelly also assists and supports ASTA’s International Executive Committee, as well as ASTA staff within the Domestic and International Policy department. Prior to joining ASTA, Kelly worked as Executive Coordinator for the George Washington University and as International Coordinator for Asia at the U.S. Grains Council. She also served as a Small Enterprise Development Peace Corp Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. Kelly received her B.A. in International Affairs and Philosophy in 2006 from Sweet Briar College in Virginia.
	Ann Jorss Vice President, Finance & Administration
Ann began her career working in accounting for the Marriott Corporation, then Guest Quarters hotel s. Following these, she provided accounting support for Advantage International, a sports marketing firm. Ann has been with ASTA for over 21 years, currently providing the association with “institutional memory” and serving as its head of finance, human resources and administration. She began as an accounts payable clerk and progressed up to vice president of the department in 2001. In 2003, in response to member demand, Ann established ASTA’s International Arbitration Chamber through the International Seed Foundation. In 2004, she helped to create the Seed Association of the Americas, and in 2006, she spearheaded efforts to establish the First – the Seed Foundation. Twice, since working at ASTA, Ann has managed the contractual and build-out aspects of the office relocation. Currently, in addition to her financial at ASTA, she serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the American Seed Research Foundation, the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders, First-the Seed Foundation, ASTA and the Seed Association of the Americas. Ann graduated from the American University in Washington, DC with Bachelor of Science degree.
	Barbara A Surian Director, Administrative Services
Barbara joined ASTA in April, 2001 as the Executive Assistant to ASTA’s President and CEO. In January, 2013 she changed positions within the organization and is currently supporting the finance, membership and meetings departments. In addition, Barb also manages the purchasing of office supplies, maintains the office equipment and is the liaison with ASTA’s computer tech support and building management. Prior to joining ASTA, Barbara worked as executive assistant to the president of a staffing agency and to the regional president for Chase Manhattan bank. She also worked as an administrative assistant to investigators for the FDA.
	Cindy Hinton Director, Membership Services
As ASTA’s chief point of contact with members since 2010, Cindy focuses on developing and implementing the Association’s membership recruitment and retention plan. Prior to joining ASTA, she served as the associate director of membership for the Security Industry Association where she was responsible for every aspect of member services — from new member recruitment and orientation to yearly renewals and the members’ only area of the Web site. Cindy’s earlier years were spent in the media industry, working first as Director of Specialty Retail Sales for Turner Broadcasting Service in Atlanta, then as Director of Sales for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Northern Virginia. In these positions, she oversaw the successful entries of both companies into the home video markets. Cindy is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (B.A. in business) and the State University of New York (B.S. in marketing).