This database was last updated in October 2019 and should only be used as a historical snapshot. There may be new information that is not included here.
Department of Agriculture
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William Sullivan
Agriculture (joined: June 4, 2018)
State Executive Director - Rhode Island | $138,478
Lauren Elizabeth Sullivan
Agriculture (joined: March 13, 2017)
Confidential Assistant | Scheduler | Director of Scheduling | $79,720 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Bio, via Department of Agriculture via Hagstrom Report:
A native and proud Marylander, Lauren most recently worked in the Sergeant-at-Arms office in the United States Senate
Annette Sweeney departed March 13, 2018
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 12, 2017)
State Director - Iowa, Rural Housing Service
Ryan Thomas departed Oct. 13, 2018
Agriculture (joined: April 9, 2018)
Chief of Staff, Office of Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment | $165,000
Lobbied for
- American Quarter Horse Association
- Banta Carbona Irrigation District
- Capitol Counsel on behalf of Rite Aid Corporation
- Essex Innovation Group, LLC
- Expedia, Inc.
- Mongolia Forward
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Old West Management Company
- Opulink Corporation
- Patterson Irrigation District
- Pegasus
- San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority
- San-I-Pak
- Shift4
- Silk Way Holding
- Stockton East Water District
- Tate, Inc
- Terrestar
- The Embassy of Mongolia
- US High Speed Rail Association
- Vista Partners, LLC
- Volusia County, FL
- West Side Irrigation District
- Westlands Water District
- iSafe
Bradley Thykeson
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 26, 2017)
State Executive Director - North Dakota, Farm Service Agency
Kailee Marie Tkacz
Agriculture (joined: July 17, 2017)
Policy Advisor | Policy Advisor, Office of Congressional Relations | $126,958 | Financial Disclosure »
Bio, via Department of Agriculture via Internet Archive:
Before coming to USDA, Kailee Tkacz served as the Director of Food Policy for the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), leading strategic food and nutrition efforts at the international, federal, state, and local levels. Prior to her time at CRA, Tkacz was Director of Government Affairs for the Snack Food Association and also a Government Affairs Manager for the National Grocers Association. Her work experience has provided her with extensive knowledge of the food industry supply chain from farm to folk. Tkacz grew up in upstate New York and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, with a concentration in American politics and public policy, and a minor in history from the University at Buffalo.
Former Positions Outside Government
- Corn Refiners Association Director, Food Policy
Former Compensation Sources
- Corn Refiners Association Former Employer
Debbie Turbeville
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 12, 2017)
State Director - South Carolina, Rural Housing Service
Joseph Tvrdy
Agriculture (joined: Sept. 30, 2018)
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Food and Nutrition Service | Financial Disclosure »
Stephen Alexander Vaden
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 23, 2017)
Senior Advisor to the General Counsel | Deputy General Counsel, Principal | General Counsel | $179,700 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Bio, via White House, via Internet Archive:
Mr. Vaden is a native of Union City, Tennessee. Mr. Vaden received his B.A. in American History from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from Yale Law School. Following graduation, Mr. Vaden completed two clerkships, first with The Honorable Julia Smith Gibbons of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and then with The Honorable Samuel H. Mays, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Mr. Vaden has practiced law at the Washington, D.C. firms of Patton Boggs and Jones Day. At both firms, Mr. Vaden’s practice focused on litigation, particularly at the appellate level, along with election law and administrative law. When not in Washington, Mr. Vaden continues to make his home in Union City where he lives with his brother Samuel Vaden and mother Wanda Stephens Vaden. His late father John Marshall Vaden was a farmer for most of his 97 years.
Former Positions Outside Government
- Jones Day Associate
Former Compensation Sources
- Alliance Data-Epsilon Legal services
- America Leads Legal services
- Campaign Capital Group Legal services
- Coalition to Save Medicare Advantage Retiree Coverage Legal services
- Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling Legal services
- Community Financial Services Association of America Legal services
- DT Client Services Legal services
- Discovery Communications Legal services
- Doug McAuliffee Strategies Legal services
- Drive Capital, LLC Legal services
- EPU, LLC. Legal services
- Edward T. Moore and Lawrence W. Rosenfeld Legal services
- Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust Legal services
- Fraternity and Sorority PAC Legal services
- FreedomWorks for America Legal services
- Future 45 Legal services
- GIC Special Investments Legal services
- GRA Venture Fund Legal services
- Google, Inc. Legal services
- Gus West Government Affairs Legal services
- Havenstein for Governor Legal services
- Hayek Institute for American Renewal Legal Services
- Heaney for Congress Legal Services
- Internet Corp. for Assigning Names and Numbers Legal services
- Jones Day Associate
- Judicial Education Project Legal services
- L Brands, Inc. Legal services
- Las Vegas Sands Co. Legal services
- LoBiondo for Congress Legal services
- Maverick Capital LLC Legal services
- Ministry of Sport of Russian Federation Legal services
- Miriam Adelson Legal services
- National Football League Players Association Legal services
- National Republican Senatorial Committee Legal services
- Oklahoma Leadership Council Legal services
- Opportunity Solutions Corp. Legal services
- Pat Roberts for U.S. Senate Legal services
- Pershing Square Capital Management Legal services
- Reynolds American, Inc. Legal services
- Ron Johnson for Senate Legal services
- Sphere Consulting Legal services
- Steris Corp. Legal services
- Strategic Elements Legal services
- StudentsFirst Legal services
- Tarrance Group Legal services
- Tennesseans for a Responsible Future Legal services
- The Business Roundtable Legal services
- The Maccabee Taskforce Legal services
- Verint Systems, Inc. Legal services
- Victory Media, LLC. Legal services
- eBay, Inc. Legal services
Thayer Lamont Verschoor departed July 22, 2017Transferred to Veterans Affairs
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 30, 2017)
Special Assistant | $87,263 | Financial Disclosure »
Bio, via LinkedIn:
Arizona Republican Party Chief of Staff: Direct day-to-day operations, control budget, establish organizational structure, Oversee event planning, coordinate fundraising, Manage staff, Direct communications, Oversee and audit federal and state compliance; Arizona State Senate Arizona State Senator: Created and passed legislation to benefit the citizens of my district, as well as the entire state; worked within committees and form relationships with senators who have different political views; negotiated debated and persuaded other senators to support or oppose particular legislation; met with constituents on specific legislation and community concerns. Legislative Highlights: Senate President Pro-Tem; Elected Senate Majority Leader by my peers; Created the funding mechanism of $300,000,000 (STAN) that accelerated completion of freeway projects; Chairman of Arizona Budget Commission; Chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee; Reflections in Ink Print Broker: Coordinated marketing campaigns using direct mail, door hangers, flyers, postcards, signs, etc. in the political and commercial fields; Prepared bids for prospective jobs; coordinated design and delivery of printed material; provided great customer service in a one-stop shop format; coordinated winning campaigns for multiple candidates; EzPac and Mail Owner/Operator: Acquired financing, investigated possible site locations, prepared marketing strategy, hired and trained personnel, established financial procedures, kept records of sales, produced P&L reports, created operations manual including job duties, pay scale, benefit package, hours of operation, performed periodic financial and performance audits, worked directly with customers to meet their needs; United States Army Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Specialist: Performed decontamination duties; awarded Army Achievement Medal; completed Jungle Warfare School in Panama; assistant to the Company Commander
Former Positions Outside Government
- Circle K Corp. employee
- Sears employee
- Swift Transportation employee
Former Compensation Sources
- Swift Transportation employee
Lorren Walker
Agriculture (joined: June 4, 2018)
Chief of Staff, Agricultural Marketing Service | Financial Disclosure »
Bio, via LinkedIn:
Twenty years of experience working on a variety of trade and trade related issues; Expertise in identifying and developing market strategies for exporters of high-value products; A demonstrated ability to formulate federal policy initiatives designed to promote industry growth; Adept at utilizing multiple governmental and non-governmental databases to ascertain accurate trade volume.
Former Positions Outside Government
- Schramm, Williams, and Associates Consultant
Jerry Ward
Agriculture (joined: Oct. 29, 2017)
State Director - Alaska, Rural Housing Service | $131,798 | Financial Disclosure »
Bio, via Department of Agriculture:
Jerry Ward is an Athabascan Indian from the Caribou Tribe, born and raised in Alaska. Ward has a record of public service, including the U.S. Navy Seabees in Vietnam, Rural Affairs Coordinator with the Department of Corrections, and Legislative Liaison for the Alaska Energy Authority. Ward has also served as a member of the Alaska State House of Representative, with a seat on the Finance Committee, and in the Alaska State Senate as Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee addressing rural Alaskan issues.
Former Positions Outside Government
- Alaska Native Veterans Council Board Member
- Montana Creek Association Board Member, Chairman
- Ward and Associates Realty Agent
Kristian Warner
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 12, 2017)
State Director - West Virginia, Rural Housing Service
Nicholas "Nick" Matteo Westcott
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 30, 2017)
Confidential Assistant | Staff Assistant, Natural Resources and Environment | $54,972 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Joshua Daniel Whitehouse departed Sept. 16, 2017
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 20, 2017)
Confidential Assistant | Confidential Assistant, Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics | $73,846 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Bio, via Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.:
Mr. Trump also announced State Representative Joshua Whitehouse will serve as his Coalitions Director. In 2014 Representative Whitehouse was the top vote getter in his district while running against multiple incumbents. He has worked extensively on several campaigns in New Hampshire, the most recent being Andrew Hemingway’s bid for Governor. Representative Whitehouse is, among other things, currently spearheading an effort to pass tort reform in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Former Positions Outside Government
- New Hampshire General Court State Representative
Former Compensation Sources
- 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee Event planning (Political Organization - This position is not reportable under Part I.)
- Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Staff training, field organizing, convention ops, event planning, and more. (Political Organization - This position is not reportable under Part I.)
Robyn Gregory Whitney departed Aug. 17, 2018
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 20, 2017)
Staff Assistant | Legislative Analyst | Staff Assistant, Office of Congressional Affairs | $68,036 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Former Positions Outside Government
- The Heathman Lodge Assistant Manager
- The Mount Saint Helens Institute Climbing Guide
- Washington State Senate Legislative Aide
Former Compensation Sources
- The Heathman Lodge Assistant Manager
- The Mount Saint Helens Institute Climbing Guide
- Washington State Senate Legislative Aide
Jacob Henry Wilkins departed July 13, 2018
Agriculture (joined: Sept. 11, 2017)
Press Assistant | Resume »
Douglas A. Wilson
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 13, 2017)
State Director - Illinois, Rural Housing Service
Wendy Wilton
Agriculture (joined: Nov. 26, 2017)
State Executive Director - Vermont, Farm Service Agency | $119,285
Joby Freeman Young
Agriculture (joined: June 19, 2017)
Chief of Staff | $165,000 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Larry Christopher Young departed March 7, 2018
Agriculture (joined: Jan. 30, 2017)
Senior Advisor to the Secretary | Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations | $179,700 | Financial Disclosure » | Resume »
Bio, via Chronicle Vitae:
Chris Young, a native of Fitzgerald, Georgia, serves as the Executive Director of CIFAL Atlanta, an arm of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and is a Fellow with UNITAR. The center, located on the campus of Kennesaw State University, focuses on capacity building for local governments and civil society leaders, with programmatic emphases on economic development and fair trade, water, disaster preparation and recovery, and good governance. Its work largely targets emerging democracies and economies within the Americas. Mr. Young is also a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer, featured presenter, and subject-matter expert in leadership and organizational dynamics, diplomatic negotiations, foreign affairs, international protocol, cross-cultural literacy, and global business etiquette. His clients include Fortune 500 companies; major universities; national, state, and municipal governments; chambers of commerce and economic development agencies; professional associations; and global sporting events. For seven years, he led Protocol & Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA), the worldwide professional organization for those in those related fields, as its elected president. Today he serves as the past president and chair of the committee on governance and ethics. In August 2014, he was honored by his peers from around the world with the PDI-POA Ann Beard Achievement Award, the highest in his profession. Mr. Young’s career also includes service as the Executive Director of The Protocol School of Washington and Chief of Protocol and Director of International Affairs for the State of Georgia, the latter of which he held for two successive administrations. In 2010, Georgia Trend magazine tapped him as one of the State’s “40 Under 40,” Georgia’s forty rising stars and influential leaders under the age of forty. Mr. Young graduated with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, entering as a President’s Scholar and earning a BS degree in History. He received his law degree (Juris Doctor), with honor, from the University of Georgia. In 1999 he was appointed as a nationally prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholar. In March 2006, Mr. Young was named as the recipient of Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen Alumni Legacy Award. An inveterate traveler and avid pianist, he attends Mt. Paran Church in Atlanta and is a member of their choir.
Former Positions Outside Government
- CIFAL Atlanta Executive Director and UNITAR Fellow (As noted, in the Kennesaw State entry, I assumed this position in 2014. The Center and the position folded into the university in January 2016. Filer resigned from this position on 02/09/17)
- CYA Global Strategies, LLC Founder and CEO (This LLC is currently dormant, holds no assets, and generates no income. The filer has passed the responsibility for maintaining the LLC during its dormant state to his attorney for the duration of his government service.)
- Kennesaw State University Executive Director, CIFAL Atlanta, and Assistant Professor of International Policy (In January 2016, my role as Executive Director of CIFAL Atlanta, then a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with the UN Institute for Training and Research, formally folded into Kennesaw State University. The Center became a part of the Division of Global Affairs, and I received a faculty appointment to the School of Political Science. Filer resigned from this position on 02/09/17)
Former Compensation Sources
- CIFAL Atlanta Executive Director and UNITAR fellow
- Chick-fil-A Consultant
- Kennesaw State University Executive Director, CIFAL Atlanta, Assistant Professor of International Policy
- Law Office of Cindy Johnson, Esq. Consultant
- Muhammed Ali Family Trust Consultant
- Society of Government Meeting Professionals Consultant