ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S. — The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) appointed the National Grain and Feed Association’s (NGFA) vice-president of safety and regulatory affairs, Jess McCluer, as chair of the board of directors.

“I’m humbled and honored to lead ASHCA in its mission to protect the safety of agricultural workers,” McCluer said. “Promoting safety and health in the workplace and encouraging nationwide commitment to employee protection has been a cornerstone of my professional career, including my service at NGFA. I hope to learn from the wide-ranging members of ASHCA about their strategies to promote worker safety and will strive to continue the advancement of ASHCA’s vital mission effectively throughout my term.”

Founded in 2007, ASHCA is a not-for-profit organization established to address ongoing and emerging occupational safety and health issues affecting U.S. agriculture.

ASHCA’s board of directors elected McCluer as chair on March 12 to a two-year term. 

As board chair, McCluer will also serve as the chief executive officer of ASHCA, oversee general operations of the organization, preside at all ASHCA board of directors and executive committee meetings.

McCluer manages NGFA’s wide-ranging safety and operations programs covering employee safety and industrial health, in addition to environmental issues, grain-handling facility design and equipment, and grain inspection and weighing issues.

He joined NGFA’s staff in 2007 after serving the previous four years as a program analyst at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Office of Outreach Services and Alliances. He is staff liaison to NGFA’s Safety, Health and Environmental Quality Committee and Grain Grades and Weights Committee.