WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced key changes to Committee leadership. After serving with Stabenow since 2007, Staff Director Chris Adamo is headed to the White House Council on Environmental Quality to be Chief of Staff. Replacing Adamo as Staff Director will be Joe Shultz who has served with the Committee since 2011 as Chief Economist.
Stabenow also announced that Jonathan Cordone and Jacqlyn Schneider will be named Deputy Staff Directors. Both Cordone and Schneider have served on Stabenow’s Committee staff since 2011. Cordone will now serve as Deputy Staff Director/Chief Counsel and Schneider as Deputy Staff Director/Policy Director.
“Chris Adamo has been such an important member of my staff for so many years. I’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow both personally and professionally since he started with me in 2007,” Ranking Member Stabenow said. “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. I am going to miss Chris dearly, but I am so happy for him as he moves on to the White House.”
“As we move forward, I am really pleased with the professional team we have assembled,” Ranking Member Stabenow continued. “Each member of my staff understands the complexity of issues facing our farmers and ranchers as well as our families and communities and are committed to their success. I am very confident that our new Staff Director, Joe Shultz, and our new Deputy Directors Jonathan Cordone and Jacqlyn Schneider will be a powerful leadership team to move us forward in addressing issues critical to farmers, families, and communities across our country.”
Joe Shultz, Staff Director
Joe Shultz has served as Chief Economist for Senator Debbie 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 U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) where he served as a primary advisor 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. Shultz 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 U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry since 2011. In that capacity he advises Sen. Stabenow and the Democratic members on legislative strategy and procedure and oversees a diverse portfolio of issues with a particular focus on derivatives, financial markets, and international trade. Prior to joining Senator 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 U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce under then-Chairman Rep. John D. Dingell of Michigan. Jonathan 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
Jacqlyn Schneider has served as Senior Professional Staff on the Senate 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 Congressman Jim Costa of California where she managed his legislative team and oversaw his work on the House 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 Rep. 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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