Washington Association of Wheat Growers announces new CEO

RITZVILLE — The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) announced Thursday that Chandler Goule will serve as the new CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

Goule was selected by a committee that included WAWG Natural Resources Chair and former WAWG President Nicole Berg. In addition to serving as the organization’s CEO, Goule will also serve as the executive director of the National Wheat Foundation.

Previously, Goule was the senior vice president of programs for the National Farmers Union, a role in which he was actively involved in farm-related legislation. He has also served as a subcommittee staff director for the House Agriculture Committee, according to the release from the WAWG.

“There are many issues facing the national wheat industry, not the least of which is the upcoming battle for the 2018 Farm Bill,” Kevin Klein, president of the WAWG, said via the release. “We feel confident that with the selection of Chandler Goule as CEO, the National Association of Wheat Growers is positioning itself to be a leader in the wheat industry when it comes to advocating for growers and protecting their livelihoods. The Washington state wheat organizations look forward to working with Chandler.”

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers builds its activity around education and outreach aimed at helping Washington wheat families. The WAWG has been “dedicated to the enrichment of the Washington wheat industry as a nonprofit trade association” since 1954, per the release. That mission depends on volunteers, membership dues and other donations to support WAWG activity as advocates on the state and national levels.

The WAWG also monitors state, transportation, research and natural resources policy and works in partnership with the NAWG to monitor national farm policy.

— Staff report