Gary Mayo works in the NIFA Office of the Director as the legislative affairs officer. He has been with NIFA since July 2022. Previously, he worked in USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Office of the Administrator as the legislative affairs officer. Mayo is a veteran, who served 29 years in the Army. He served as the congressional affairs contact officer for the Department of the Army Inspector General working on personnel confirmation issues, whistleblower legislation, and other mandated reports. Previously, he served as a fellow and military legislative assistant for former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Tex. Mayo holds a master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University, a bachelor’s degree in business from Troy University, and a program management professional certification from Syracuse University.
He is responsible for developing outreach activities, point of contact for legislative affairs in NIFA including Farm Bill, authorization language, inquiries from members of Congress, and regulatory and research partner outreach. These responsibilities include identifying and coordinating subject matter experts to appear before Congress.