WASHINGTON, DC – The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is pleased to announce that Steve Gardner and Robin J. Bowen have joined its staff as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of External Affairs, respectively. Combined, Gardner Bowen bring over 40 years of experience to the CRA team.

“We are very pleased to welcome Steve and Robin to the team,” said John Bode, CRA President & CEO. “Their trade association experience in policy areas relevant to CRA, combined with exceptional leadership qualities, make them perfect fits for our team as we continue to strive to serve as a best-in-class issues management organization.”

Most recently serving as COO for Crosby-Volmer International Communications, Steve Gardner has held senior communications positions at the American Chemistry Council, the Aluminum Association, and the US Pharmacopeial Convention. In those roles, he has led industry-wide programs in reputation management, chemical plant security, sustainability, packaging, recycling, transportation, and more. He managed the Chinese Premier’s visit to the USP facility in Shanghai in 2015 and has spoken at industry conferences throughout the US and in Mexico, Brazil, India, and the UK. A Maine native, Gardner currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board at Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Over the course of her 20 years of experience in public policy advocacy and education, Robin Bowen has held senior positions at the Mercatus Center and McDermott Will & Emery, where she counseled alcohol beverage producers, importers, and retailers. Bowen clerked for the Honorable Eugene Siler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in addition to serving as a Senior Legislative Assistant for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Hailing from Kentucky, Bowen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Transylvania University and her juris doctor from the Washington College of Law at The American University.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.