The Media Communications Coordination Team coordinates public and media communications for the Office of the Secretary, USDA general offices and mission areas, and develops policies and plans for effective execution of overall basic and operating policy for development and dissemination of public affairs information.

• Coordinates development, production, and dissemination of Department-wide communications;
• Develops national and significant Departmental news releases, statements for the media, letters-to-the editor, opinion-editorials and other information materials released through a variety of media;
• Counsels and advises senior decision makers and agency information directors and their staff in serving the Department's many audiences;
• Formulates policy and regulations for OC media coordination
• Coordinates and reviews printed publications or reports prior to public release; and
• Coordinates response to inquiries from major national news outlets.

The team includes five communications coordinators serving as senior communications advisors to USDA's seven mission areas, working directly with Under Secretaries and top staff, as well as servicing the Secretary's Office and Departmental staff offices for media relations and press and public communications and strategic services.

Press Secretary
Keith Williams
202-720-4623 - FAX 202-720-5043
Rm 403-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
keithwilliams@usda.gov

Deputy Press Secretary
vacant
202-720-4623 - FAX 202-720-5043
Rm 404-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301

Assistant to the Press Secretary
Janice Tolley
202-720-5555 - FAX 202-720-5043
Rm 405-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
janice.tolley@usda.gov

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Communications Coordination Team

Research ; Research, Education & Economics; Staff Offices; National Agricultural Statistics Service and Office of Chief Economist; World Outlook Board

Wayne Baggett
202-720-2032 - FAX 202-690-3611
Rm 407-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
wayne.baggett@usda.gov

Energy; Natural Resources and Environment; Rural Development

Jim Brownlee
202-720-2091 - FAX 202-720-5043
Rm 408-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
jim.brownlee@usda.gov

Homeland Security; Avian Influenza; Disease; Cloning; Marketing and Regulatory Programs;

Angela Harless
202-720-6569 - FAX 202-720-5043
406-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
angela.harless@usda.gov

Trade; Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

Marci Hilt
202-720-3088 - FAX 202-720-5043
Room 421-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
marci.hilt@usda.gov

Food Safety and Nutrition

Jerry Redding
202-720-6959 - FAX 202-720-5043
Room 409-A, Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250-1301
jerry.redding@usda.gov