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Russell Laird has decades of experience working on government policy and business development for a variety of industry interests including agriculture, consumer packaged goods, trucking, utility finance, as well as issues concerning second amendment rights, military reservists, and defense contracting. He has managed his own company in the cotton industry which involved managing marketing rights to technology patented by the ARS and an SBIR grant.

From 1999 to 2003, Allen represented his community in the Michigan House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Michigan Senate from 2003 to 2011. During his time in the legislature, he was a strong advocate for rural economic development and veterans' issues. In 2011, Allen led the establishment of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, serving as a key organizer and proponent for its creation.

She’s a connector with quiet strength, compassionate leader, a team player and a strategist. She builds partnerships, provides guidance and connects communities, especially rural America, to USDA programs and resources.

A successful business owner with extensive experience in commercial real estate development, LeVell has led and supported projects focused on economic growth, investment, and community revitalization. His background in entrepreneurship, business development, and public engagement brings a practical, results-driven approach to advancing partnerships that create opportunities for farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and underserved communities across the country.