Wafla, a nonprofit farm labor association based in Lacey, Washington, has named Enrique “Rick” Gastelum as its new chief executive officer, according to a news release. Gastelum was previously the chief financial officer at the Washington Farm Bureau and has vast knowledge of agricultural labor and employment laws, rules and compliance and strong leadership skills, according to the release. He grew up in a farm-working family in Sunnyside, Washington, which included picking cherries, cutting asparagus, working in packing warehouses and in irrigation supply and sales, before attending college. Gastelum takes over for Dan Fazio, who has retired as the association’s CEO and will continue to serve wafla in a consulting role.

In addition, wafla has hired Scott Dilley in a new role as communications director. Dilley was previously with the Washington State Dairy Federation and has years of industry experience in public policy, writing and communications and spent many years employed at the Washington Farm Bureau.

—Jared Johnson