USDA appoints new leadership to support food safety, trade, and rural development

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced a new slate of presidential appointments to key leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The appointees are expected to further the administration’s policy priorities focused on deregulation, trade expansion, and rural revitalization, aligning with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.

In a statement, Secretary Rollins said the appointments reflect the Department’s continued efforts to prioritize U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are rolling back regulations, expanding market access, and uplifting rural America. I welcome our latest Presidential Appointees to the People’s Department and look forward to continuing our fight to put Farmers First,” Rollins said.

Key Appointments and Their Roles

Dr. Justin Ransom has been named Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). With more than 20 years of experience in food safety and supply chain operations across the private sector—including roles at Tyson Foods, McDonald’s, and OSI Group—Ransom is expected to strengthen USDA’s oversight of meat, poultry, and egg product safety. He began his career at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, where he worked on technical standards and trade facilitation.

Michelle Bekkering has been appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Her background includes leadership roles at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the International Republican Institute. Bekkering’s early career included service on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush. With roots in family farming, she is anticipated to bring both policy and practical insights to U.S. trade negotiations and international engagement.

Peter Laudeman will serve as Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. He joins USDA from U.S. Wheat Associates, where he directed trade policy. His prior experience includes roles in the crop protection and biotech sectors, as well as work for the National Corn Growers Association. Laudeman is expected to support the Department’s efforts to secure favorable trade conditions for U.S. commodities.

Jacqueline Thomas has been named Director of External Communications for the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. Thomas previously worked in congressional communications and public affairs, including in the first Trump administration at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Her role will focus on coordinating USDA outreach to farmers and stakeholders across conservation and production programs.

John Greene will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the Rural Development Business Center. Greene brings five decades of engineering and operational leadership, including as CEO of Mytra Consulting and New Lisbon Holdings. His appointment signals a continued emphasis on administrative efficiency and private-sector engagement in USDA’s rural development programs.

The appointments reflect a broader push to align USDA leadership with sector-specific expertise, particularly in food safety, international trade, and rural infrastructure.