WASHINGTON, June 15, 2015 – Sen. Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, is announcing key changes to the panel’s Democratic staff, including the move of Staff Director Chris Adamo to the White House Council on Environmental Quality where he’ll be Chief of Staff.
Replacing Adamo as staff director will be Joe Shultz who has served with the committee since 2011 as chief economist. Adamo has been with Stabenow’s staff since 2007.
Stabenow, D-Mich., also announced that Jonathan Cordone and Jacqlyn Schneider are being promoted to deputy staff directors, Cordone as chief counsel and Schneider as policy director. Both have served on Stabenow’s committee staff since 2011.
Stabenow praised Adamo for playing a key leadership role as the Agriculture panel worked on the 2014 bill.
“His leadership on the Committee was key in getting the farm Bill done and he has remained dogged in getting those programs rolled out quickly,” Stabenow said. “I am going to miss Chris dearly, but I am so happy for him as he moves on to the White House.”
Here are brief biographies of the new staff director and deputy staff directors:
Joe Shultz, Staff Director
Shultz has served as chief economist for Stabenow on the Agriculture Committee since 2011. In that capacity he led the committee’s work on commodity programs, crop insurance, the federal budget, and global food security. Prior to joining the committee, Shultz worked for Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, where he served as a primary adviser on issues related to agriculture, energy, and the environment. Shultz grew up on a fourth generation family farm in western Ohio where he continues to play an active management role. He served as vice-president of the National FFA (Future Farmers of America) and earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Ohio State University and his master's degree in applied economics from Cornell University.
Jonathan Cordone, Deputy Staff Director/Chief Counsel
Jonathan Cordone has served as general counsel and chief counsel of the Senate Agriculture Committee since 2011. In that capacity he advises Stabenow and the Democratic members on legislative strategy and procedure and oversees a portfolio of issues with a particular focus on derivatives, financial markets, and international trade. Prior to joining Stabenow, Cordone served in the Obama administration as the senior vice president and general counsel of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Previously, he served as general counsel of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce under then-Chairman John Dingell of Michigan. Cordone practiced law in New York and Connecticut, working on complex transactions involving project finance, leveraged leasing and lending. He is a native of Trumbull, Connecticut.
Jacqlyn Schneider, Deputy Staff Director/Policy Director
Schneider has served as senior professional staff on the Agriculture Committee since 2011. In that capacity she leads the committee's work on nutrition policy, specialty crops and organic, and development of local food systems. Prior to joining the committee, Schneider served as legislative director for Rep. Jim Costa of California where she managed his legislative team and oversaw his work on the Agriculture Committee and 2008 farm bill. Schneider also led the congressman’s efforts on a host of issues including healthcare/health reform, food safety, education, immigration and trade. Prior to joining Costa’s staff, she worked for the Biotechnology Industry Organization in Federal Government Relations. Schneider is a Michigan native and a graduate of James Madison University.
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