Rollins announces new USDA political appointments
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday announced a series of political appointments in Rome, Washington and in the states.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is building a powerhouse team of presidential appointees deeply committed to uplifting rural America and putting Farmers First. With strong experience in agriculture, public service, and national security, this team will protect family farms, expand opportunities, and proudly implement America First policies,” Rollins said in a news release. “I look forward to working together to deliver real results for the American people, particularly the farmers, ranchers, and producers who feed and fuel our nation.”Here are appointments at the international and national level. Appointments to Rural Development, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service positions in the states may be found in the news release.
Doug Hoelscher: Minister-counselor at US Mission to food agencies in Rome: Hoelscher previously held roles as COO and chair of the America First Transition Project at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). During Trump’s first term, he served as director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Earlier in his career, Hoelscher was director of the Iowa Office of State-Federal Relations and held positions in the Bush administration at both the White House and the Homeland Security Department. Raised on a corn, soybean, and pig farm near Williams, Iowa, he was active in 4-H and FFA and worked summers in a family agribusiness. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and began his public policy career in the office of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
Tate Bennett: Principal deputy chief of staff: During Trump’s first term, Bennett served as special assistant to the president for agriculture, trade, and food assistance at the White House National Economic Council, as well as both the agriculture adviser to the administrator and the associate administrator for the Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education at the Environmental Protection Agency. Most recently, Bennett served as the director of rural policy at the America First Policy Institute. Earlier, she worked in the private sector and in the House and Senate. Bennett grew up on her parents’ horse farm in Shelbyville, Ky.
Hailey Ghee: Deputy chief of staff for operations: Ghee served at USDA during Trump’s first term. Her federal experience also includes serving at the Small Business Administration (SBA) and in the House. She is a native of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Mireya Brogan: Chief of staff for Risk Management Agency: Raised in Texas, Brogan spent the past seven years managing research and development supply chain risk at a federally funded research and development center supporting the Defense Department. Earlier in her career, she worked to expand agricultural markets in South Asia and West Africa. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University.
–The Hagstrom Report
