Preston Asay

Major: Agricultural Economics
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

Preston Asay is from Dallas, Texas and graduated from Highland Park High School in 2005. Some of his favorite pastimes include fly-fishing, hunting, and camping with his brothers. He is fond of music and plays the guitar, drums, and piano. He hopes to further his knowledge of the economy through agricultural policy and aspires to one day obtain a master’s degree in business. Preston has been active in the Sigma Chi Fraternity as well as a member of the Texas A&M Sailing Club. Preston understands that the ANRP Internship Program is a great opportunity to gain new perspective and learn more about the government’s role in agricultural policy. Preston is working with NASDA this fall.

Blake Barlow

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
Congressman Kevin Brady

Blake Barlow is a senior agricultural leadership and development major from Corsicana, Texas. He plans to use his degree to start his own business one day. In his free time he has always enjoyed working with animals and has shown a variety of animals across the state during his time in 4-H and FFA. He also enjoys traveling around the world. He has served as a foreign exchange student in several countries and has just recently returned from a study abroad trip to Brazil where he had the experience of a lifetime in the depths of the Amazon jungle. Blake looks forward to working with people from across the nation and serving his country during this incredible internship opportunity in Congressman Kevin Brady’s Office.

Briana Brawner

Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Congressman Chet Edwards

Briana Brawner, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, hails Comfort, Texas as home and regards natural resource and environmental policy with interest. She is extremely excited about the opportunities that interning in Congressman Chet Edwards’ Office will bring. During her time off before graduation, Briana enjoyed volunteering at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. As a student, she was also involved in the agricultural honors fraternity, Alpha Zeta, and was an active member of the Wesley Foundation, a Methodist student center near campus.

Chris Esselburn

Major: Agribusiness
House Committee on Agriculture, Majority

Christopher R. Esselburn is from Wooster, OH. He is an agribusiness major with a minor in economics and a leadership certificate. After graduating from Triway High School, Chris enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was attached to Truck Co (-) in Erie, PA. He attended Ohio State ATI until 2004 when he was deployed to Iraq in support of OIF II. After the deployment, he was admitted to Texas A&M, where he attended until being deployed to Iraq in 2007 for a second time. After serving a second tour he returned to A&M and graduated in May 2009. While at Texas A&M, he was in the Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteer Company. He was also a member of the Agricultural Economics Society and the Semper Fi Society. In the future Chris plans on pursuing a master’s degree in the area of agricultural policy. He is interning for the House Committee on Agriculture this fall.

Stephanie Grafe

Major: Agricultural Economics
Congressman Jeb Hensarling

Stephanie Grafe, from Boerne, Texas, is currently majoring in agricultural economics, acquiring a minor in Spanish, and obtaining her certificate in international trade and agriculture. She will graduate in December 2010 and plans to enroll in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies program at John Hopkins University. She is interning for Congressman Jeb Hensarling of Texas’ 5th District.

Mandy Hong

Major: Nutritional Sciences
Congressman Pete Sessions

Mandy Hong recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in nutritional sciences. She is from Houston, Texas and is interning for Congressman Pete Sessions this fall. During her time at Texas A&M she was a Resident Advisor and actively involved in several student organizations including the Aggie Orientation Leader Program, Helping One Student to Succeed, and Project Sunshine. After her internship, Mandy plans to continue her studies in graduate school to become a health care administrator. Mandy is excited about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C., where she will gain valuable knowledge and professional experience.

Sarah Klein

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
Congressman Henry Cuellar

Sarah Klein graduated from Texas A&M in May of 2009 with a degree in agricultural leadership and development, emphasizing on economics. She is from San Antonio, Texas and is interested in water conservation as well as waste water management. During her time at Texas A&M, Sarah was involved with Aggie Habitat, Circle K International, Aggie Awakening, and held a campus-wide clothing drive for a local non-profit organization. She is excited about the opportunity to work in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Henry Cuellar.

Ethan Mathews

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

Ethan Mathews of Austin, Texas, is a recent graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in agricultural leadership and development. He is working for NASDA this fall and would eventually like to work in the area of agricultural policy after his internship. His policy interests are renewable energy and water rights.

Patrick McMahon

Major: Entomology
House Committee on Agriculture, Minority

Patrick McMahon is a junior entomology major from Ballinger, Texas. He is interning with the House Committee on Agriculture during the fall 2009 semester. While at Texas A&M, Patrick was a Fish Camp counselor for two years and is a member of MSC Hospitality. Patrick is excited about the opportunity to intern in our nation’s capital.

.

Rachel Parham

Major: Renewable Natural Resources
Meyers and Associates

Mary “Rachel” Parham is a Texas A&M graduate with a degree in renewable natural resources and a minor in rangeland ecology and management. It has been her dream to live and work in Washington, D.C. and thanks to Texas A&M she finally has that chance. She has worked previously in D.C., with the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, but now looks forward to working close to Capitol Hill with Meyers and Associates. Her future goals include Law School, the FBI Academy, and ultimately to become a prosecution attorney. She plans to represent Texas A&M University with honor.

Harry Richmond

Major: Agribusiness
Congressman Pete Olson

Harry C. Richmond is a proud new member of the Aggie family and class of 2011. He is an agribusiness major who currently serves as secretary for the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate club and is a member of the Petroleum Organization. Upon graduating from Texas A&M, he would like to pursue a career in strategic development for the energy industry. Harry has been selected to work as a congressional intern for Congressman Pete Olson of District 22.

David Salinas

Major: Animal Science
Congressman Ruben Hinojosa

David Salinas is currently a junior animal science major from McAllen, Texas and is expecting to graduate in May of 2011. While at Texas A&M David has been an active member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, the Animal Science Aggie REPS, and the Freshman Leadership Experience. With these experiences, David is prepared for his internship as a congressional intern for Congressman Rubén Hinojosa. David is looking forward to working with the Congressman from his home district and is ready for the new experiences that are heading his way. After graduation David plans to attend graduate school at Texas A&M under the Animal Science Department, focusing on beef cattle.

Devin Wagner

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
Congressman Charles Gonzalez

Devin Wagner is a junior agricultural leadership and development major from Austin, Texas. Upon graduation in May of 2010, Devin plans to pursue a policy based career in the renewable energy arena. This fall he is interning for Congressman Charles Gonzalez of the 20th District of Texas. Devin is excited about being exposed to life in D.C. where he hopes for the opportunity to gain a base knowledge of public policy in regards to natural resources. Through this experience he hopes to grow both as a representative of Texas A&M University and as a citizen of the United States.

Cody Whitaker

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
Congressman Ralph Hall

Cody Whitaker, of Van Alstyne, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University in August with a degree in agricultural leadership and development. This fall, he is working for Congressman Ralph Hall of the 4th District of Texas. Cody was involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Big Event and many other organizations while at Texas A&M. Following his internship Cody plans to stay in Washington or attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree focusing on leadership.

Adam Wright

Major: Agricultural Leadership and Development
Congressman John Carter

Adam Wright is a recent graduate from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural leadership and development and a minor in business. This fall, as part of the prestigious ANRP Internship Program, Adam is working on Capitol Hill for Congressman John Carter, who represents the 31st District of Texas. Adam was born and raised on the family farm in Dimmitt, Texas where he was able to experience how the agricultural industry works. With this internship opportunity he hopes to gain more knowledge about the policy process regarding agriculture. Adam is excited to be walking the halls of Congress during this historic time in Washington, D.C.

Top