Lilly Simmering — Professional Journey

2025 - Present

Founder and Principal Consultant

Sentra Solutions, LLC

Small boutique consulting firm focused on assisting government, non-profit, and small to medium-sized agriculture and food businesses grow.

2015 - 2024

Chief Operating Officer

County of Orange

Supervised development and implementation of high-visibility and high impact projects and inititiative including: County Customer Service Center, OC Cares, Homelessness Response, Office of Sustainability/Climate Action Plan, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Covid-19 Response, System of Care Data Integration System/Care Plus Program.

2013-2015

Local Food Economy Program Manager

King County

Launched the Local Food Initiative. Authored Local Food Initiative Report.

2012-2013

Director, Strategic Regulatory Policy

Boeing Capital Corporation

Advocated for fair global strategic regulatory financing frameworks for aviation, satellite, and defense industries and employees.

2008-2012

Desk Offcer, sub-Saharan Africa, Canada (NAFTA)

USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service

Responsible for development of U.S. policy positions concerning U.S. agricultural trade with sub-Saharan Africa and Canada. Spear-headed two Secretarial trade missions for Secretary Tom Vilsack.

2006-2008

Compliance Officer

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

Conducted compliance audits of major marketing order commissions as well as provide compliance support. Led investigation of marketing order case that was eventually heard by U.S. Supreme Court.

1998-2003

Marketing Specialist

California Highlander Cooperative, Inc.

First Southeast Asian farmers cooperative focused on increasing global market opportunities and championing equitable support for minority farmers.

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