Jennifer Cervantes is the Vice President of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers of Texas. She conducts educational briefings for members of Congress and staff on the positive contributions and necessary role that sugar cane farmers and processors have in their communities and with consumers, and how federal legislation and regulations impact the industry. Jennifer has provided written and oral testimony on Capitol Hill, as well as led issue briefings and negotiations for industry stakeholders with staff and high-level executives within the Executive Branch, including the White House, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Department, Office of U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Interior, and the International Boundary and Water Commission.  Jennifer also serves as a member of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Sweeteners and Sweetener Products.

Jennifer received her B.B.A from St. Edward’s University in her hometown of Austin, Texas. In 2001, after moving to the Washington, DC area, she began working at the Department of Agriculture. After a few months, she accepted a position in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, working to recruit and recommend candidates to fill senior-level appointments within the federal government.  She presented these recommendations to the President of the United States in Oval Office meetings.  After several years, Jennifer returned to the Department of Agriculture, where she focused on the Department’s management issues. She finished her time as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Agriculture.