Western Growers Names New D.C. Director

Western Growers Association has named Ken Barbic its new director of federal government affairs at the Washington, D.C., office.

Most recently, Barbic served as deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for congressional affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Prior to that, he worked as a legislative assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means. Barbic completed internships at the White House Office of Public Liaison, the Bakersfield District Office of former Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA) and the Food Marketing Institute.

Barbic grew up in and around agriculture in Bakersfield, Calif., taking on various summer jobs in the industry.

“Ken is a terrific addition to the Western Growers team,” said Cathy Enright, Western Growers’ vice president of federal government affairs. “He brings valuable legislative and practical experience to Western Growers’ issues across the board. Barbic will play a vital role in the success of our organization and the specialty crop industry, at large, as Western Growers’ presence in our nation’s capital continues to grow.”

Barbic earned a B.S. degree in business management and an M.A. degree in Biblical studies from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wis.