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THE AMERICAN PEANUT COUNCIL ANNOUNCES LUCAS BLAUSTEIN AS ITS NEW PRESIDENT/CEO
Aug. 21, 2025
Source: American Peanut Council news release
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| Lucas Blaustein |
Alexandria, Va. -- The American Peanut Council has named Lucas "Luke" Blaustein as its next president and CEO. He succeeds Richard Owen, who was recently announced as the Convenience Distribution Association's new president/CEO. To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Blaustein will officially join APC on August 25, 2025, for a one-week handover period before Owen steps down.
For the past seven years, Blaustein has served as a diplomat in the Agriculture Department's Foreign Agricultural Service, where he led teams, offices and projects in Central Asia, the Arabian Gulf, Taiwan and Washington, D.C. His time in the foreign service was defined by projects as varied as the USA Pavilion at the Qatar World Cup, Central Asia Rodeo USA livestock marketing program, Taiwan organic trade agreement and evacuation of USDA partners from Afghanistan. Prior to his career at FAS, Blaustein was an international grain trader, where he merchandised physicals and futures from farm to foreign port.
"Luke brings to APC an exceptional blend of global trade acumen, deep-rooted agricultural knowledge, and a bold vision for the future of the peanut industry," said Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, APC 2025 board chair and senior strategic sourcing manager at Mars Wrigley. "His leadership is dynamic and inclusive, grounded in a strong commitment to serving growers, shellers, manufacturers and our allied members."
Blaustein holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Asian Studies from the University of Houston and a Master of Agribusiness from Texas A&M University. He was raised in Texas and Georgia and currently resides with his wife of 14 years, Sha, and their two sons, Han Lee (8) and Arthur Bowen (3), on their family farm in West Virginia.
"I'm honored to lead an organization that unites the entire U.S. peanut industry, strengthens connections and unlocks new value," said Blaustein. "Whether it's expanding export markets, advancing peanut sustainability, supporting cutting-edge peanut research, or leading reputation management efforts, I'm excited to be part of this dynamic industry and I look forward to all we'll achieve together."
In his role, Blaustein will also provide leadership to APC's two affiliated organizations: The Peanut Research Foundation and the American Peanut Research and Education Society.
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