By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor

The staffs of both the U.S. House and Senate committees on agriculture are now led by a pair of Texans.

Matt Schertz of Robstown was promoted to staff director of the House Agriculture Committee following the exit of Scott Graves of Bronte, Texas, in late January.

“For the past 15 years, Matt has served America’s farmers and ranchers in a variety of roles in Washington, D.C.,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway said in a statement. “Matt guided me when I was a subcommittee chairman ‎during the last farm bill debate, and he has been my policy director as committee chairman. He is a hardworking and conscientious public servant, and I’m proud to have him heading up my team as staff director of the committee.”

Since January 2015, Schertz served as the policy director for the committee. In that role, he oversaw the committee’s legislative team and operations.

Before that, Schertz served as senior professional staff to Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. He’s also been staff director to Conaway on the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee and served under former Chairman Larry Combest of Texas.

Schertz is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

Another Texan, James Glueck of Canyon, was named the staff director of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry earlier this month.

He replaces former staff director Joel Leftwich.

“James Glueck is experienced in both the Senate and in agriculture policy. He accepts the responsibility for running the committee staff at a critical time as we begin to consider the next farm bill. I am confident he will carry on the committee’s focus on the farmer and rancher and put their needs first,” Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, said in a statement.

Before his promotion, Glueck was a senior policy advisor for biotechnology, risk management and grain inspection.

He also worked under Senator Thad Cochran, a former committee ranking member. He was a legal assistant for agriculture, trade and water issues for Senator Mike Johanns.

He’s also worked for Bunge North America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has attended the George Bush School of Government and Public Service.