The Russell Group announced today that Ashlee Johnson will be joining the firm on September 1. The addition of Johnson will bolster the strong bipartisan team of policy experts at The Russell Group, and enhance the highest level of government affairs and advocacy service in the food and agriculture industry.

“We are thrilled to have Ashlee bring her policy expertise to our team,” Russell said. “She has a deep understanding of both the legislative and regulatory process as well as strong relationships with key players in our industry.”

“Ashlee’s work on Capitol Hill, in the White House and at USDA is unmatched. Add to that her private sector background and in-depth knowledge of climate and sustainability issues, and she will be an invaluable resource to our clients.”

Ashlee moved to DC from Arkansas and began her career on Capitol Hill in 2007, as a staffer to former Congressman Mike Ross (AR). She later served on the Senate Agriculture Committee under Senator Blanche Lincoln and joined the Obama Administration in 2011. She held multiple leadership positions at USDA, including White House liaison, chief of staff to the deputy secretary and also as a policy assistant covering rural affairs and immigration issues for the White House Domestic Policy Council.

In the private sector, Ashlee managed both state and local government relations for Tyson Foods. In 2018, she joined FMC Corporation as a member of the government affairs team before being promoted to serve as director of global sustainability. In this role Ashlee led FMC’s global sustainability strategy, including policy and program development, and the enterprise wide integration of ESG priorities. Ashlee also served as a member of FMC’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Executive Taskforce, where she helped develop global policies and practices to improve workforce diversity.

“The Russell Group has a history of providing exemplary service and support to clients in the food and agriculture industry. I’m excited to join this dedicated, experienced team of professionals,” said Johnson.

Ashlee is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, a professional member of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, and a co-founder of the Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture Association.