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Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Stabenow Announces New Hires

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today announced new staff selections to the Committee. Joe Shultz will continue to serve as Staff Director and Jacqlyn Schneider will continue as Deputy Staff Director/Policy Director for the Committee.

“As we head into the new Congress, I’m excited to announce these additions to the Agriculture Committee,” said Stabenow. “Each member of this team understands the challenges and opportunities that face our agricultural producers and rural communities. With important legislation on the horizon, I’m confident that this Committee will work hard to deliver results for American farmers and families all across the country.”

Mary Beth Schultz, Chief Counsel

Schultz served for 13 years on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, most recently serving as the Minority Chief Counsel.  Before joining the Homeland Security Committee, she was a prosecutor at the Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Litigation.  She earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. Schultz grew up on a Nebraska farm producing corn, wheat, and beef cattle.

Mike Schmidt, Senior Professional Staff

Schmidt has held several positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most recently as Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs for the Farm Service Agency. While at the Agriculture Department, Schmidt was responsible for the implementation of major portions of the 2014 Farm Bill related to commodities, dairy, conservation and risk protection. Prior to his time at the Department, Schmidt worked seven years on Capitol Hill in various capacities. Schmidt holds undergraduate degrees from Virginia Tech and a Master’s of Science degree from the University College London.

Jess McCarron, Press Secretary

McCarron served as Deputy Press Secretary to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the U.S. Department of Agriculture since March 2016. Prior to that, McCarron held various communications positions at the nonprofit Enroll America. McCarron is a Florida native and a graduate of the University of Tampa.

Rosalyn Brummette, Staff Assistant

Brummette worked as the Legislative Fellow with Western Skies Strategies and as a Field Organizer on the Colorado Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign. Brummette was raised on her family’s small sheep farm in Michigan and is a recent graduate of Michigan State University.