Notice to Members
Jennifer Henderson joins NAEGA as Advisory and Legal Counsel as NAEGA Bids Farewell to Thomas J. Erickson
NAEGA is pleased to announce that Jennifer Henderson is joining NAEGA as Advisory and Legal Counsel.
Through her firm, Henderson Law & Consulting, PLLC, Jen advises agricultural trade associations, commodity groups, and food and agribusiness companies on the issues that shape their industries. Jennifer is also an attorney and mediator at Engelmeier & Umanah in Minneapolis, where she leverages her extensive management background to advise employers on litigation avoidance, workplace compliance, personnel disputes, and the creation of respectful workplaces. She previously served in General Counsel roles for a global grain trading company and an Israel-based food tech start-up, roles which followed a distinguished career marked by senior leadership roles with Cargill, Inc., including as Counsel for Cargill Investor Services (FCM), Grain and Oilseeds Crush, Animal Nutrition, Integrated Poultry and Value-Added Meats; Global Senior Director, Product Safety, Quality and Regulatory Affairs; and Managing Director for Animal Nutrition, Western, Canada.
A native of Minnesota, Henderson holds a Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota.
In her role, Henderson will advise on NAEGA’s by-laws and internal processes, and lead on compliance and general legal operations. She will manage NAEGA Clause 20/21 certification processes, and will serve in a high-level advisory function on trade policy and related issues affecting NAEGA members and their operations.
Henderson joins as NAEGA bids farewell to Thomas J. Erickson, who served with NAEGA since 2019. Erickson’s contribution to NAEGA has gone above and beyond his role as legal counsel, from leading reviews of the NAEGA No. 2 contract, to providing strategic guidance to NAEGA, and championing trade.
Of his departure, Erickson said: “It’s been a tremendous privilege to serve as outside counsel to NAEGA. I’ve appreciated the trust and confidence provided by Alejandra and the Board and wish NAEGA continued success in its critically important work.”
Augusto Bassanini, Chairman of the NAEGA Board, welcomed Henderson to NAEGA, stating: “Tom has been integral to everything NAEGA does for a number of years. He leaves big shoes to fill, but in Jen we have found a worthy replacement. Jen’s track record of bringing commercial solutions to the issues we face as an industry is exactly what NAEGA stands for. I’m excited to have her join the team and help shape the future direction of this organization as we continue respond to the industry’s needs amid a changing trade landscape.”
Erickson’s contribution to NAEGA will be recognized during the September Board meeting and reception. NAEGA wishes Erickson continued success as he pursues a new role.