Richard Owen has served as President & CEO of the American Peanut Council (APC) since February 2021. The APC provides a forum and unified voice that brings together all sectors of the peanut supply chain – growers, shellers, manufacturers and allied industries – to identify and resolve issues. The Council works to grow export markets for U.S. peanuts, lead scientific research on peanut production and supply chain, and provide thought leadership on sustainability, food safety and crisis management.

Prior to APC, Richard served in various roles during 11 years with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), including Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Team Lead, Vice President of Global Membership and Engagement, and Vice President of Global Business Development.

Richard also served as Director of Agricultural Affairs for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) managing a portfolio that included Russia and Eastern Europe, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Israel. He led US negotiations on agricultural market access and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues with over ten countries acceding to the World Trade Organization (WTO). He also served as the USTR delegate to two significant international trade agencies:  the WTO Committee on Agriculture and Codex Alimentarius, the international food safety organization.

Richard holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Virginia Tech in the U.S. and has maintained the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives since 2000.