AARON WHITESEL
Aaron Whitesel serves as a Senior Advisor of HillStaffer, bringing over two decades of public policy experience in agriculture, energy, and environmental issues. A seasoned political strategist and government affairs expert, Mr. Whitesel offers clients unparalleled access to key decision-makers and a profound understanding of the intricate policy landscape. His innovative approach to policy solutions has consistently yielded impressive outcomes, including the expansion of the first-ever Energy Title of the Farm Bill, which directed billions in economic incentives to farms and rural communities.
Mr. Whitesel’s core competencies encompass policy formulation, lobbying, and building strategic relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of government. Clients can expect him to leverage his extensive network and strategic acumen to enhance their visibility and influence with regional and state agencies, private entities, and non-governmental organizations.
With Mr. Whitesel on board, HillStaffer reinforces its commitment to providing clients with top-tier expertise and a competitive edge in shaping public policy. He is adept at turning policy into profit, having secured $80 million through mandatory and discretionary appropriations for energy initiatives to guiding Fortune 500 companies through regulatory challenges. His advisory role extends to a diverse clientele, including tech start-ups, established corporations, and non-profit organizations, all of which benefit from his strategic insights and advocacy skills.
Prior to HillStaffer Mr. Whitsel served as the Director of North American Government and Industry Affairs at Nutrien, where he led policy strategies and stakeholder engagement efforts for the world’s largest crop inputs and services company. Prior to Nutrien, he held roles at Corteva and DuPont, creating strategic roadmaps for federal and multi-state relationships while managing substantial budgets and coordinating activities with numerous trade associations to advance company objectives.
Mr. Whitesel began his career on Capitol Hill, ultimately serving as Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Richard Lugar. During this time, he played a crucial role in enacting the Renewable Fuels Standard, which gained broad bipartisan support and aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while expanding the nation’s renewable fuels sector. Mr. Whitesel also spearheaded a massive bipartisan campaign for historic farm bill legislation, much of which was included in subsequent farm bills, improving quality of life and sparking economic vitality in rural communities. His work in this capacity extended to international affairs, representing the U.S. Government in several Latin American countries on food security initiatives and facilitating the authorization of the Global Food Security Act.
Mr. Whitesel earned a Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Purdue University. He is a member of Crop Life America (Committee Chair) and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (Committee Chair).