The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new senior staff appointments at its Washington, D.C., headquarters, bolstering its leadership across various departments.
Jeremy Adamson has been promoted to Chief of Staff for Research, Education, and Economics. Adamson, previously a Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the Foreign Agricultural Service, has been instrumental in leading USDA’s international climate initiatives. His experience includes roles at Certis Biologicals and Corteva Agrisciences, and he is a Purdue University graduate.
Deidre Deculus Robert will now serve as the Director of State Operations for Rural Development. Formerly the State Director of Rural Development in Louisiana, Robert has extensive experience in legal and administrative roles, supporting rural community development. She holds a JD from the Southern University Law Center.
Ellis Collier has been promoted to Senior Policy Advisor for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Collier previously worked as a Legislative Advisor in the Office of Congressional Relations and has a strong background in forestry and conservation policy. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a law degree and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in agriculture.
Malikha Daniels is appointed as Senior Policy Advisor for the Foreign Agricultural Service. Before this, Daniels was a Senior Legislative Advisor and also served as Subcommittee Staff Director for Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. She earned a Master of Public Policy from the American University School of Public Affairs and holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
These appointments underscore USDA’s commitment to advancing agricultural research, rural development, conservation efforts, and international agricultural relations.