USDA appoints new staff

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., filled a variety of new senior staff positions.

“Here at USDA, we continue to build a team that is reflective of America – diverse and rich in background, expertise and leadership,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Mary Beth, Dionne, Ny, Leslie, Deborah, Alberto, Alison and Jerry are all welcomed additions to the team.”

Mary Beth Schultz was named deputy general counsel. Before joining the USDA, Schultz worked as the Democratic chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which she joined in 2017.

Dionne Toombs, Ph.D., was named acting director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. With over a decade of USDA service, Toombs has significantly contributed to USDA’s agricultural research, education and extension services while serving in various leadership roles.

Ny Whitaker was named director of scheduling and advance in the Office of the Secretary. Whitaker has been the senior advisor for New York state for the Democratic National Committee since September 2020.

Leslie Weldon was named acting chief diversity and inclusion officer in the Office of the Secretary. As acting CDIO, Weldon will lead USDA’s ongoing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts, building on USDA’s commitment to civil rights and equality.

Deborah Swerdlow was named chief of staff for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Swerdlow comes to USDA from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, where she most recently served as deputy director of state campaigns, leading advocacy efforts for federal policies that support people with low incomes and their families.

Alberto Gonzalez was named senior advisor for external engagement for the Food and Nutrition Service. Most recently, Gonzalez worked as a senior strategist for health policy at UnidosUS, where he worked on health and nutrition policy related to federal government programs.

Alison Hard was named senior policy advisor for the Food and Nutrition Service. Hard most recently worked on the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor as professional staff for Chairman Robert Scott.

Jerry Chapin was named senior counselor in the Office of the General Counsel. Chapin comes to USDA after more than three years as associate director of the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C.

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