NIFA’s top leaders bring a wealth of scientific backgrounds and leadership experience to advancing the agency’s mission and vision.
NIFA ORG CHART
Office of the Director
- Director: Dr. Jaye Hamby
- Chief of Staff: Brent Elrod
- Stakeholder & Legislative Affairs Officer: Gary Mayo
- Associate Director for Programs (acting): Rachel Melnick
- Science Programs Analysis Officer: TBD
- Associate Director for Operations: Drenda Williams
- Director, Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights: Vidal Gray
Institutes
- Institute of Bioenergy, Climate and Environment: Keith Harris, Deputy Director (Acting)
- Institute of Food Production and Sustainability: Kal Kalavacharla, Deputy Director
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition: Jodi Williams, Deputy Director (Acting)
- Institute of Youth, Family, and Community: Rubella Goswami, Deputy Director
- Center for International Programs: Davida Tengey, Program Coordinator
Operations
- Planning, Accountability, and Reporting Staff: Tara Warner, Director
- Office of Grants and Financial Management, Matthew Faulkner, Deputy Director
- Budget Staff: Drenda Williams, Budget Officer (Acting)
- Communications Staff: Faith Peppers, Director
- Administrative Operations: Doug Rose, Administrative Operations Officer
Page last updated: August 4, 2025