AF&PA Names Eric Steiner as Vice President of Government Affairs
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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced Eric Steiner as its Vice President of Government Affairs. In his new role, Steiner will help lead the paper and wood products industry’s legislative agenda and drive advocacy efforts before Congress, the Administration, and key state governments. Steiner will join AF&PA on November 1, 2021.
AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock stated, “We are excited to have Eric bring his notable experience to our outstanding government affairs team. His previous work experience in the U.S. Senate, USDA, a trade association, and two publicly traded companies will be key to communicating our industry’s essential role in manufacturing renewable and recyclable paper and packaging products while contributing to a more sustainable future.”
Steiner joins AF&PA from Elanco Animal Health, where he served as Senior Director of Government Affairs. In this role, Steiner led policy development, directed lobbying efforts, oversaw legislative and regulatory strategy and advocacy at the federal and state level, built external coalitions, and led internal cross-company teams for the C-Suite. Prior to Elanco, Steiner worked in government affairs for Kraft Foods, served as senior professional staff for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, served as a senior executive political appointee at USDA, helped lead government affairs for the National Association of Wheat Growers, was a law clerk at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and served as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Purdue University, and a Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law.
Steiner noted, “I am pleased to join AF&PA’s talented government affairs team, as well as an industry that deeply values safety, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. AF&PA members are committed to advancing industry policies through fact-based information and sound science. That combined with members’ remarkable track record in paper recycling and contributions to the circular economy prove for a powerful success story. I look forward to building on these efforts in advocating for a strong and sustainable paper and wood products industry.”
