WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) said on May 2 it promoted Will Stafford to the position of government affairs representative, covering trade, transportation and financial markets policy for the organization.

In his new role, Stafford will work closely with Manager of Government Relations for Risk Management Brooke Shupe, who also recently joined the association, as well as the rest of the NAWG government affairs team, NAWG’s grower-leaders and U.S. Wheat Associates’ trade policy team.

Stafford has been at NAWG since September of last year, when he joined the Washington, D.C., U.S.-based staff as an intern. He became the staff’s policy assistant at the beginning of 2012 and will now move into full-time government affairs work with a unique policy portfolio.

“In the months since Will came to NAWG, we have found him to be an invaluable part of our team,” said Dana Peterson, NAWG’s chief executive officer. “I was pleased to be able to elevate his work here and have every confidence he will grow into a successful career in agriculture advocacy.”

A Maryland native, Stafford graduated in May 2011 from Towson University, which is near Baltimore. He studied economics and business administration.

During his time at NAWG, Stafford has assisted the government affairs staff, focusing on trade, financial markets, biotechnology and environmental policy. In addition to work related to NAWG’s winter meetings and research fly-in, Stafford has represented NAWG at Hill and media events and has written stories for NAWG’s weekly news update.

“I am extremely excited to continue to be a part of the NAWG team, especially in these important times for agriculture policy,” Stafford said. “I cannot stress how much I have appreciated learning about wheat and agriculture from NAWG members and staff over the past year, and I am very proud to be able to continue to support America’s wheat farmers.”