U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments and Promotions

Press Release

Release No. 0074.24

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

Jeremy Adamson was promoted to Chief of Staff for Research, Education, and Economics

Most recently, Adamson served as a Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the Foreign Agricultural Service where he led development and implementation of international climate efforts, including USDA's participation in the annual United Nation's Climate Conferences (COP 26, 27, and 28). He led the development of USDA's International Climate Hub and supported development and advancement of U.S.-led and co-led international initiatives and coalitions, including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate. Before that, Adamson served as the Portfolio Manager for Certis Biologicals. Previously, he held roles in account management and market development with Corteva Agrisciences and worked as a Crop Consultant and Plant Health and Nutrition Specialist with Nutrien. Adamson is a native of Merrillville, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree from the College of Agricultural Economics.

Deidre Deculus Robert was promoted to Director of State Operations for Rural Development

Most recently, Deculus Robert served as State Director of Rural Development in Louisiana. There, she worked to support rural communities across Louisiana by administering programs for affordable housing, community facilities, and the business industry. Before that, she was Executive Counsel and General Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and the Southern University and A&M College System respectively. Prior, she served as Deputy Director of the Litigation Division of the Louisiana Department of Justice. She began her career in the Parish Attorney's Office of the City of Baton Rouge, where she worked for eleven years. She holds a JD from the Southern University Law Center and a bachelor's degree in history and classical civilizations from Louisiana State University.

Ellis Collier was promoted to Senior Policy Advisor for the Natural Resources Conversation Service

Most recently, Collier served as a Legislative Advisor in the Office of Congressional Relations. In this role, he was responsible for managing congressional engagement and Farm Bill coordination across climate, research, forestry, and conservation. Before that, he served as a Legislative Analyst and 1890 Congressional Fellow for the House Committee on Agriculture providing legislative and policy support on forestry and conservation. Prior, he was a Senior Legal Research Assistant at the Agriculture Law Education Initiative under the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension handling issues of heirs' property on agricultural lands. Collier also served for three years as a NRCS scholar in the 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to bolster educational and career opportunities for students from rural communities. Collier holds a JD from the University of Arkansas and bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in agriculture.

Malikha Daniels has been named Senior Policy Advisor for the Foreign Agricultural Service

Most recently, Daniels served as a Senior Legislative Advisor for the Office of Congressional Relations. Before that, Daniels served as Subcommittee Staff Director for Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research (BHR) at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, where she oversaw biotechnology, agricultural research, and all issues in the BHR policy jurisdiction. Prior, she held roles at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Office of Congressman Al Lawson, Office of Congressman Dwight Evans, and USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Daniels holds a Master of Public Policy from the American University School of Public Affairs and two bachelor's degrees in Biological Sciences and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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