Search

Previously, he played key roles in voter registration initiatives, event planning, and activist training through his work with Turning Point Action. ​With a strong background in grassroots activism, Johnathan has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement and impactful leadership throughout his career. Johnathan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Hanson joins USDA with extensive experience in logistics, security management, and event planning from his time as the North Dakota Governor’s Residence Manager. Hailing from the Badlands of southwestern North Dakota, he brings a deep understanding of rural life and agricultural communities from his family’s fourth-generation commercial cow/calf operation.

He previously served in acquisition roles with various agencies including the Department of the Army, Defense Contract Management Agency, and Department of Health and Human Services. With USDA he partners to strengthen the acquisition workforce, procurement policy, and contracting operations. Crandall earned a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College and an MS from Morgan State University.

Dr. Scott Hutchins serves as Under Secretary for the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area of USDA.  In addition, he is the Chief Scientist for USDA and serves on the USDA Leadership Cabinet.  The REE Mission Area includes the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). 

Dr. Lauren Stump is the Deputy Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area, which encompasses the Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Office of the Chief Scientist. These agencies serve a critical role at USDA to advance U.S. agriculture research, extension, and education. Dr.

Westhill returns to the USDA where he previously headed the civil rights office as Deputy Assistant Secretary in President Trump’s first term. His previous government appointments also include service at the U.S. Department of Labor, liaison to the Administrative Conference of the U.S., and liaison to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Prior to returning to government service, Westhill was President and General Counsel of a nonprofit civil rights organization.

Before serving in this capacity, Matthew served as USDA Head of the Contracting Activity and was responsible for over $10B in annual spend for USDA’s enterprise-wide procurement activities. Previously, Matthew served in the roles of Mission Area Senior Contracting Official (MASCO) and Branch Head for the Procurement Compliance and Oversight Branch (PCOB) within the USDA OCP.