Richard Owen, Senior Director, Global Business Development

Richard Owen is senior director of global business development for Produce Marketing Association (PMA).  Owen is responsible for growing PMA’s global brand, revenue and membership through strategic alliances, local affiliate development and industry outreach. Prior to joining PMA, Richard served as executive director of the DC-based World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA), the primary trade association representing the global inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC) industry.

Richard also served as Director of Agricultural Affairs for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Executive Office of the President (EOP). At USTR Richard managed a portfolio that included Russia and Eastern Europe, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa 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.

Before joining USTR, Owen served as executive vice-president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, based in Great Falls, Montana, and executive director of the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation in Washington, DC.

Owen holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Virginia Tech.

Email Richard at rowen@pma.com