October 17, 2017
The Honorable Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry
Washington, DC 20510-6000
Dear Senator Stabenow:
The purpose of this letter is to provide you and your staff a response to your second letter dated
October 2, 2017. During my initial interview with the Committee staff on September 21st, I was
confident that most – if not all – of your questions from your initial inquiry were discussed in
detail.
However, as I am eager to address the remaining policy questions with your staff in my second
interview, hopefully in the next few days, and meeting with you personally to discuss topics
relevant to my hearing nomination for USDA Under Secretary of Research, Education &
Economics, I submit written answers to you today.
1.

Please provide your curriculum vitae. I submitted my full CV to Committee staff last
month and have attached the same to this letter for your review. I also submit my written
biography for your consideration.

2.

Please list all graduate level courses you have taken in natural science. None.

3.

Please list all membership and leadership roles you have held within any agricultural
scientific, agricultural education, or agricultural economic organizations. None.

4.

Please describe any awards, designations, or academic recognition you have received
specifically related to agricultural science. None.

5.

What specialized training or significant experience, including certifications, do you have
in agricultural research? I bring 17 years of agriculture experience integrated into both
undergraduate- and graduate-level courses throughout my teaching career as reflected in
my curriculum vitae as well as the Committee’s questionnaire. Additionally, I ran for two
statewide offices in Iowa and one cannot be a credible candidate that state without
significant agricultural experience and knowledge. I defer to both of Iowa’s outstanding
sitting Senator’s on this Committee to vouch for both my significant experience and
ability to serve in the capacity I was nominated.

6.

What specialized training or significant experience do you have in agricultural education?
I am proud of being a major contributor to the development of the successful
undergraduate agricultural program at Morningside College.

 7.

What specialized training or significant experience do you have in agricultural
economics? As stated in #5 above, I offer my 17 years of significant agricultural teaching
experience in both undergraduate and graduate-level coursework.

8.

Please list any articles you authored that have been published in scientific peer-reviewed
publications. None.

9.

Please describe any experience you have had as a peer reviewer or editor of agricultural
science publications. None.

10.

Please describe your doctorate program, including identifying your primary advisor and
committee members, requirements for your degree, and the major steps you completed
for your degree. I successfully completed a comprehensive Ph.D. of Public
Administration through the Department of Political Science at the University of Alabama.
This included exemplary completion of all coursework, comprehensive exams and
dissertation. It is important to note that my dissertation was the first one in the
Committee’s memory that was submitted without the need for edits, additions or
corrections, and printed as originally written and submitted. My primary advisor within
the doctorate program was Dr. Stephen Borrelli and the Committee members included
Dr. William Stewart, Dr. Michael New, Dr. Kevin LaVoie, and Dr. Charles Leathers.

Senator, thank you for your time and consideration. As stated before, I am humbled by the
President's nomination and Secretary Perdue’s ongoing support and anticipate constructive
conversations with you as we work together to meet Secretary Perdue's challenge to "Do Right
and Feed Everyone".