Wilcox Named OTA Executive Director

NEW YORK - Feb 2/06 - SNS -- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) named Caren Wilcox its new executive director, succeeding Katherine DiMatteo, OTA's original executive director who has served in that role since 1990.

It is anticipated that DiMatteo will remain at OTA through June to work with Wilcox to ensure a smooth transition. During DiMatteo's tenure, OTA was instrumental in shaping national organic standards and has promoted organic agriculture and organically produced goods in North America.

Wilcox was the first director of government relations for Hershey Foods Corporation in Hershey, PA, and was the first Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Recently she served as a senior advisor to the Ranking Member on the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, where she worked on such issues as sustainability, food security, specialty crops, and water and energy.

She also led the National Association of Women Business Owners and served as Region III Advocate for Small Business for the Small Business Administration covering Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.