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US Department of Agriculture announces senior staff position appointees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named following individuals for senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named following individuals for senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

Kailee Tkacz Buller, chief of staff of the USDA

Kailee Tkacz Buller will serve as chief of staff of the USDA. Most recently, Tkacz Buller served as the president and CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association. Previously, Tkacz Buller served as chief of staff to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and held numerous leadership roles across the department in the first Trump administration. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Tkacz Buller as the 8th Congressional District Representative of the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University at Buffalo.

Preston Parry, deputy chief of staff of the USDA

Preston Parry will serve as deputy chief of staff of the USDA. Parry most recently served as strategic assistant to the president and CEO at the America First Policy Institute. During the first Trump administration, he was the executive assistant to the director of the Domestic Policy Council, where he supported operations and served as policy coordinator and primary liaison to the Office of the Staff Secretary. Previously, Parry was an associate director in the White House Visitors Office. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Parry holds a degree in political science from Utah Valley University.

Jennifer Tiller, chief of staff to the deputy secretary and senior adviser to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Jennifer Tiller will serve as chief of staff to the deputy secretary and senior advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Most recently, Tiller served as the deputy staff director for the House Committee on Agriculture and holds graduate degrees from Marist College and Syracuse University.

Ralph Linden, principal deputy general counsel of the USDA

Ralph Linden will serve as the principal deputy general counsel of the USDA. Linden served in various capacities in the Office of the General Counsel from 1982 until 2021, including serving as an Acting Deputy General Counsel during the first Trump administration. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Law.

Audra Weeks, deputy director of communications of the USDA

Audra Weeks will serve as deputy director of communications of the USDA. She previously served in the first Trump administration as deputy press secretary of the USDA before joining the national press team for President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. Weeks later served as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and most recently specialized in crisis and issues management for food and agricultural clients in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in agricultural economics from Purdue University, and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University.

Dominic Restuccia, White House liaison for the USDA

Dominic Restuccia will serve as the White House liaison for the USDA. He previously served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee. Restuccia is from Michigan and is a graduate of Hillsdale College.

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