Brian Baenig

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week named Brian Baenig, who has been the Agriculture assistant secretary for congressional relations, as his new chief of staff.

Baenig succeeds Krysta Harden, who has been confirmed as deputy secretary.

Vilsack also announced that Ann Wright, the acting assistant secretary for congressional relations, will serve as acting assistant secretary.

Baenig has served as assistant secretary since 2011. Before that he was deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs.

From 2009 to 2011, he served as deputy staff director for the Senate Agriculture Committee. He has also worked for Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., and was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee staff.

• Vilsack Staff Announcement