AF&PA Appoints Julie Landry as Vice President of Government Affairs

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced Julie Landry as Vice President of Government Affairs.

In this role, Landry will lead the paper and wood products industry’s legislative agenda and drive advocacy efforts before Congress, the White House and state governments. She assumes the role effectively immediately.

AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock stated, “We are thrilled Julie will continue her stellar leadership at AF&PA as Vice President of Government Affairs. Julie’s vast industry knowledge has been essential to achieving public policy successes, and I am confident she and our exceptional government affairs team will build on these efforts as we champion our industry’s contributions to communities across the country.”

“I am excited to take on this new leadership role,” said Landry. “And I am excited to work with such a strong government affairs team. Every day, we work to bring together members, strategic alliances, and key stakeholders to advocate for an essential and sustainable paper and wood products industry. I look forward to continuing our industry’s leadership on sustainability and fact-based public policy alongside my skilled colleagues.”

AF&PA also announced the promotions of Laura Pickard to Senior Director, Government Affairs and International Trade (formerly Director, Government Affairs and International Trade) and Abby Sztein to Senior Director, Government Affairs (formerly Director, Government Affairs).

“We are excited to recognize Laura and Abby in their new roles,” Brock continued. “Julie, Laura and Abby represent more than 30 years of combined experience in our industry, each with their own remarkable track records of success. AF&PA is fortunate to have such incredible talent at the forefront of our legislative, state and Administration discussions.”

Landry joined AF&PA as Manager of Government Affairs in October of 2011 and has cultivated extensive experience on issues related to energy, environment, water and forestry. Landry previously worked for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), where she lobbied on a variety of key issues including food safety, taxes and energy. She began her career on Capitol Hill working for U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and later served as Special Assistant to the Policy Director for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Landry holds a bachelor's degree in international business from Auburn University. She resides in McLean, Virginia with her husband and three children.

Pickard splits her time between the Public Policy Department, where she leads on all international issues for AF&PA, and the Government Affairs team, where she leads federal advocacy efforts on recycling and trade. She serves as an industry advisor to the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on ITAC 8: Forest Products and Building Materials. Her experience with AF&PA spans various roles in government affairs and public policy, including leading AF&PA’s Political Action Committee and grassroots advocacy, since 2012. Prior to joining AF&PA Pickard worked for U.S. Representative Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX). She earned a Master of Public Health from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. Pickard lives in White Plains, Maryland with her husband and two children.

Sztein leads the state advocacy team in addition to direct advocacy for the northeast. Her experience with AF&PA spans various roles and issues in government affairs and public policy, including state and local government affairs; sustainability; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B); recycling policy; energy; and water issues since 2010. Prior to joining AF&PA, Sztein worked for the Maryland Department of Transportation in legislative affairs. Abby Sztein is from Maryland’s Eastern Shore and completed a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Sztein lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband and son.