Tom represents CANGC and the Nursery Growers Association in Washington D.C. Here's a little information about his history. Prior to returning to private practice and advocacy, Tom served as deputy director of the Washington office of California Governor Gray Davis. Representing Governor Davis before Congress and federal agencies, he obtained increased federal appropriations for California and advised Governor Davis and other California officials on federal matters relating to agriculture, trade, and economic development. Tom also served as associate administrator at the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In that capacity, he managed an agency charged with facilitating the marketing of fruits and vegetables, livestock, poultry, and cotton. A native of Vacaville, California, Tom is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and received his J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Every day, Tom O'Brien can be found in the halls and offices of the congressional office buildings, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other key locations advocating for California Nurseries. He has had a number of major successes that pay big dividends to our nursery community. Here are just a few of his recent accomplishments:

• Obtained over $1 million to create nursery research facility located in Marin, County. APHIS provided the money to begin the facility as part of its Farm Bill Section 10201 money. The grant came to fulfill the statutory language requiring APHIS to support nursery efforts to address pest concerns and this was the first award made after the passage of the farm bill. Since then, APHIS has dedicated additional funding totaling more than $550,000.
• Defeated the Obama Administration's budget proposal to cut funding for Section 10201 and the Clean Plant Network. The President's budget proposed stripping funding for important pest programs. At our request, Congress rejected the proposal and in the recently released budget for FY 2011, the Administration now supports funding for these programs. Mobilized support within the California congressional delegation and orchestrated questions to USDA from Members of Congress. Educated new political appointees on the importance of these programs.
• Provided high-level access for California nursery leaders. During the ANLA Washington conference, California added its own meetings to raise California issues directly to policymakers. The group (Mike Babineau/Village Nurseries, Robert Woolley/Dave Wilson Nursery, Dave Cox/L.E. Cooke, and Robert Dolezal/CANGC, along with others) met with Representatives Cardoza (D-Modesto), Costa (D-Fresno), Farr (D-Monterey), Nunes (R-Visalia), and Radanovich (R-Mariposa) along with staff for the California senators and other representatives. The group also met with the #2 ranked official at USDA (Deputy Secretary Merrigan), USDA's chief plant health officer, and research officials.
• Managed federal response to South Carolina P. ramorum blockade. Raised awareness of South Carolina's regulations on P. ramorum with various USDA officials. Spurred meetings between USDA and South Carolina and the Southern Plant Board, participated in program review of P. ramorum program, responded to USDA's consideration of South Carolina's petition to impose additional requirements, and advised on consideration of litigation.
• Responded to other emergencies. ACP, LBAM, P.r., GWSS, and other issues continue to plague the California nursery industry and all have a strong federal component. Worked with industry leaders to manage these crises. In addition, he represented the California nursery industry on issues related to water, pesticides, and labor.

Tom coordinates his activities to take full advantage of other states' nursery advocates and those of pesticide manufacturers, agricultural commodity groups, landscape design/irrigation/contractor associations, and other allies.