Caroline Brennan graduated in December 2018 with a degree in agricultural economics. Her love for agriculture began at a young age when her parents took her to their local county show for the first time. Over the years, her love for agriculture has further developed into an immense passion that has led her to where she is today. Through her time at A&M, Caroline has gained many valuable life lessons that have helped shape her into a more resourceful, patient, diligent, and attentive person. She became a member of the 2015-16 National Champion Wool Judging Team and was also involved in Saddle & Sirloin, Ags for Orphans, and Sigma Alpha Sorority. She wants to pursue a career in the agriculture industry and hopes that this internship will broaden her knowledge on current policy issues affecting that industry.
Jill Caress
Office of Congressman Randy Weber
Jill Caress is a senior at Texas A&M University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism. She will receive her degree in May of 2019. After graduation, Jill hopes to work in political communications. Jill is from the heart of Houston, Texas and found a passion for agriculture on the campus of Texas A&M University. During her undergraduate years, Jill has been active within the Agriculture Life and Sciences department. She worked as a content contributor for the Texas A&M Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program as well as attending a study abroad trip to Costa Rica focusing on Culture in Agriculture and Natural Resources. In her three and a half years, she has also served her sorority, Delta Zeta, in six different leadership positions including being on the Executive Board as head of risk management and Standards. The courses she was enrolled in ignited a love for learning the most effective means of communication for and within the agriculture sector. Jill is overjoyed to be working in Congressman Randy Weber’s and is excited to see the process of policy-making first hand.
Justina Graff
House Committee on Agriculture
Justina is a junior agricultural economics major. She grew up on a 6th generation working farm and ranch in Hondo, Texas. Today, her family continues to do traditional farming and ranching, and are also in the agritourism business. They operate a corn maize and other activities while striving to educate their patrons on the importance and significance of agriculture. At Texas A&M, Justina works at Readfield Meats and Deli and is involved in Chi Omega. Through her job, Justina has continued to learn about the ins and outs of customer service, how valuable connections throughout industries are, and how much the agricultural industry impacts everyone’s lives daily. With Chi Omega, she has seen the importance of giving back to the community as they work nationally and throughout the Brazos Valley to provide financial support to organizations such as Make A Wish Foundation and Still Creek Ranch. Justina is eager to learn more about the agricultural policy industry through her internship with the House Committee on Agriculture and looks forward to seeing where this opportunity will take her.
Parker Mathews
Office of Senator Jerry Moran
Parker Mathews is from Marysville, California. He is a junior agricultural economics major with a focus in Policy and Economic Analysis and will be graduating in the spring of 2020. Parker occupies his time by serving as the treasurer for a co-ed social and leadership organization called Twelve and writing music as a solo project. He is also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho; the agricultural fraternity. As the sixth-generation of a farming family that is solely involved in the rice industry, Parker finds it important to continue the legacy in any form. Coming to Texas A&M as an out-of-state student has been the greatest decision he has made so far, and he’s proud to be enrolled at the greatest agricultural school in the nation. Parker hopes that this internship will result in the beginning of a career involved in agricultural policy.
Joshua Mendez
Office of Congressman Brian Babin
Joshua Mendez is a December 2018 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development from Nipomo, California. Being a fifth-generation farmer with a background in the agriculture industry, he has gained great experience in human resources, communication skills and personal development. Growing up in the 4-H and FFA programs raising sheep and goats led him to pursue a degree in agriculture at Texas A&M. During the summer of 2018, Joshua worked for an international greenhouse grower which gave him a unique perspective on production agriculture. Joshua is an avid sports fan and roots for the Aggies every chance he gets. Joshua looks forward to expanding his professional skills as well as learning more about policy development. He is excited, eager and grateful to spend his spring in Washington, D.C. working under Congressman Brian Babin.
Megan Myers
National Association of Wheat Growers
Megan Myers of Campo, California received a Bachelor of Science degree in Society & Environment from University of California, Berkeley in May 2017. During her undergraduate studies she had an internship in Washington D.C. at Reserve Officers Association where she was a military legislative intern. In summer 2017 she was an intern for Assemblyman Kevin Kiley in Sacramento, California. She is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications and a certificate in Public Management from the Bush School of Government and Public Service. In addition to her studies, Megan is a graduate assistant conducting research on learning communities such as first generation veterans and the Sloan Program for Exemplary Mentoring. Another aspect of her assistantship includes being a teacher’s assistant for the agricultural leadership & development classes. Megan’s passion for agriculture began while being actively involved in FFA, showing sheep and dairy cattle, and participating in multiple speaking contests. She earned the FFA American Degree in 2015. She hopes the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship will expand her knowledge about natural disasters impacting the agriculture industry, the public policy process, and personal and professional development. Megan is eager to begin working for the National Association of Wheat Growers in Washington, DC for the spring 2019 semester.
Parker Norton
Office of Congressman Bill Flores
Parker Norton is a first-generation Aggie from Cambridge, Minnesota. After leaving the Marine Corps, Parker quickly decided to move to Texas and is currently a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. Outside of his studies Parker is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars honor society, the Texas A&M Pre-Law Society, the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the VIDA Volunteer service organization with which he traveled to Guatemala and administered medical treatment to hundreds of people. He intends to continue his education with a master’s degree in business and a law degree in order to pursue a career in environmental law and policy. Interning with Congressman Bill Flores in the spring of 2019, Parker is excited to expand his knowledge and experience with agricultural and natural resource policy. He is looking forward to what lies ahead and isn’t turning back.
Parmida Tehranchi
Office of Congressman John Ratcliffe
Parmida Tehranchi is a December 2018 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences with an emphasis in dietetics. She’s a first generation Iranian- American born and raised in Houston, Texas. With a passion for disease prevention and health promotion, she spent the past four years being a member of Delta Epsilon Mu, a co-ed pre-health professional fraternity at Texas A&M. In this organization, she had the opportunity to oversee the recruitment process by serving as Director of Prospects. Parmida also has been involved with two undergraduate research projects throughout her time here on campus. She spent two years in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology in Dr. Jon T. Skare’s lab, assisting in research relating to the bacterium found in Lyme disease. She later joined Dr. Steven E. Reichman’s research team that investigates the impact of nutrition on vision and cognition related to sports performance. She plans on continuing her nutrition education by seeking a dual dietetic internship and master’s degree program to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming a registered dietitian. She is excited to intern with Congressman John Ratcliffe in the spring 2019 semester and looks forward to learning the skills to work in nutrition and food policy in the future.
Keith Timmer
Office of Congressman Filemon Vela
Keith Timmer is a proud member of the Texas A&M University Class of 2018 as he graduated in December 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition sciences. He is a second-generation Aggie; whose parents were very influential in his decision to choose to attend Texas A&M. His mother was a major factor in why he decided to major in nutrition sciences, as she is a registered dietitian. In his free time, he is actively involved as a member of the Texas A&M Ultimate Frisbee team. Over the last three years he has competed in tournaments all across the state as well as in Oklahoma and Louisiana. When not playing ultimate, he is an active member at his church, the Texas A&M Wesley Foundation. He intends to seek a master’s degree in food science as well as completing a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian in order to help create healthy food choices to promote healthier options for consumers on a national level. During his time in Washington, D.C. he hopes that he will be able to create lasting professional relationships, find practical applications from his education, and use this experience in his future careers. Keith is very excited to work for Congressman Filemon Vela.
