WASHINGTON – Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott of Georgia announced the promotion of two current Committee staffers.

Ashley Smith will serve as Deputy Staff Director of the Committee. Currently, Smith is the Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit. Prior to joining the Committee, Smith served as Legislative Director for Chairman Scott and worked as a Legislative Assistant at Florida Crystals. Smith holds a degree in political science from the University of South Dakota and is a native South Dakotan.

Mickeala Carter will take on the role of Director of Communications and External Affairs. Carter currently serves as Outreach Coordinator for the Committee. Previously, she served as Communications Director and Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Filemon Vela of Texas. Carter grew up in DeSoto, Texas, and holds a degree in agricultural leadership and development from Texas A&M University.

“Ashley and Mickeala bring years of agriculture policy and communications experience into their new roles,” said Scott. “I have full faith in their ability to push the work of the Committee forward.”