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Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of the following individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. These appointees have been selected to implement President Trump’s America First agenda, ensuring that the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.
Kailee Tkacz Buller Appointed as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Kailee Tkacz Buller will serve as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most recently, Kailee served as the President & CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association. Previously, Kailee served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and held numerous leadership roles across the Department in the first Trump Administration. Governor Youngkin appointed Kailee as the 8th Congressional District Representative of the Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University at Buffalo.
Preston Parry Appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Preston Parry will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Preston most recently served as Strategic Assistant to the President & CEO at the America First Policy Institute. During the first Trump Administration, he was the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, where he supported operations and served as Policy Coordinator and primary liaison to the Office of the Staff Secretary. Previously, Preston was an Associate Director in the White House Visitors Office. A native of Tucson, Arizona, Preston holds a degree in Political Science from Utah Valley University.
Jennifer Tiller Appointed as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
Jennifer Tiller will serve as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Most recently, Jennifer served as the Deputy Staff Director for the House Committee on Agriculture and holds graduate degrees from Marist College and Syracuse University.
Ralph Linden Appointed as Principal Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Ralph Linden will serve as the Principal Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ralph served in various capacities in the Office of the General Counsel from 1982 until 2021, including serving as an Acting Deputy General Counsel during the first Trump Administration. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Law.
Audra Weeks Appointed as Deputy Director of Communications of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Audra Weeks will serve as Deputy Director of Communications of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She previously served in the first Trump Administration as Deputy Press Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture before joining the national press team for President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. Audra later served as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and most recently specialized in crisis and issues management for food and agricultural clients in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University.
Dominic Restuccia Appointed as White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dominic Restuccia will serve as the White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He previously served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Mike Bishop and U.S. Senator Mike Lee. Dominic is from Michigan and is a graduate of Hillsdale College.
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