USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins yesterday announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“American farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to feed, fuel, and clothe America. The incredible team we are building at USDA will make it easier—not harder—for farmers to fulfill their calling. I welcome the latest group of appointees and look forward to continuing our work to put Farmers First at USDA,” said Secretary Rollins.
Chris Berardi Appointed as Senior Legislative Advisor for the Office of Congressional Relations
Chris Berardi is a Senior Legislative Advisor for the Office of Congressional Relations. Prior to being appointed, Chris was the Senior Advisor and Director of Communications for Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. Previous to that position, Chris was the Deputy Director of Federal Policy for Council for a Strong America, a bipartisan nonprofit organization.
Brandon Borke Appointed as Legislative Advisor for the Office of Congressional Relations
Brandon Borke is a Legislative Advisor for the Office of Congressional Relations. Brandon has over seven years of experience in nonprofit development, executive leadership, and strategy implementation, along with more than a decade of political experience with field operations, media coordination, and policy development. Brandon is a Michigan native and a Texas transplant.
Casey Conlee Appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Congressional Relations
Casey Conlee serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Congressional Relations. Conlee served as District Coordinator for Congresswoman Yvette Herrell in the 117th Congress and later worked for the New Mexico House of Representatives. Most recently, he was the Administrative Chief of Staff for the City of Roswell, New Mexico—his hometown—where he helped guide local government operations and intergovernmental coordination.
Elena I. Crosby Appointed as Chief of Staff for the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Elena I. Crosby, J.D., serves as Chief of Staff for the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Previously, she was the State Director for then-U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, overseeing in-state efforts and leading a team across Florida. Before her legislative career, Elena worked at AdventHealth, focusing on research compliance and healthcare law. She also held leadership positions at Digital Fusion, Inc., and Connextions, Inc.
Caleb Crosswhite Appointed as Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the General Counsel
Caleb Crosswhite serves as Deputy General Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel. Crosswhite most recently served as Chief Counsel for the Republican staff of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Crosswhite also served for over a decade on the House Committee on Agriculture staff, and in the USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area under the previous Trump Administration.
Chris Esparza Appointed as Senior Advisor to the Secretary
Chris Esparza serves as Senior Advisor to the Secretary. Esparza most recently served as a Professional Staff Member and Acting Subcommittee Staff Director on the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. Prior positions included Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Small Business and Senior Counselor to the USDA General Counsel under the previous Trump Administration.
Halee Fisher Appointed as Senior Advisor for Research, Education, and Economics
Halee Fisher serves as the Senior Advisor for Research, Education, and Economics. Most recently Halee served as Legislative Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Purdue University.
Matthew Myers Appointed as Deputy Director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs
Matthew Myers serves as Deputy Director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs. Most recently, he served as Public Policy Analyst for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Previously, Matthew served as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Agricultural Finance sections at Oklahoma State University.
Edward Newburn Appointed as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
Edward Newburn serves as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Most recently, Edward served as Chief of Staff at South Dakota Trade, based in Sioux Falls, SD, and as a member of the transition and beachhead teams at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
Patricia Patnode Appointed as Special Advisor in the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
Patricia Patnode serves as Special Advisor in the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. Most recently, Patricia worked as a Research Fellow for the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as a Program Manager for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and was a Junior Fellow for the Independent Women’s Forum.
Courtney Stevens Appointed as Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment
Courtney Stevens serves as Chief of Staff for the Natural Resources and Environment mission area. Most recently, Courtney served as Professional Staff on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Interior and Environment subcommittee. She previously served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo and as Professional Staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations under the late U.S. Senator Thad Cochran.
Dr. Lauren Stump Appointed as Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Lauren Stump, DVM, serves as the Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs and oversees the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Dr. Stump most recently served in legislative affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A veterinarian, Dr. Stump has worked in animal health for Nestlé Purina PetCare Company as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association and began her career in the public sector working for a U.S. Senator.
Stacy A. Swanson Appointed as Director of Oversight
Stacy A. Swanson serves as Director of Oversight within the Office of Congressional Relations. Most recently, Stacy served as a Policy Advisor in the private sector at an international law firm. Prior to that, she served at the U.S. Department of Labor during the George W. Bush Administration.
Braxton Wenk Appointed as Chief of Staff in the Office of Congressional Relations
Braxton Wenk serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of Congressional Relations. Most recently, he served as the Administrative Director and Agriculture Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. Previously, Braxton served as Special Assistant to U.S. Senator James Lankford. Braxton was raised in Altus, Oklahoma, where his family has lived and farmed for six generations.
Jeremy Witte Appointed as Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Jeremy Witte serves as Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Witte, a native of New Mexico, most recently served as Professional Staff on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee under Senator John Boozman (AR). Before working in the Senate, Witte was Professional Staff on the House Agriculture Committee for Chairman Mike Conaway (TX).
