Dr. Maria Ramsey, Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs

Dr. Maria Ramsey serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs, where she oversees internal and external communications and leads the department’s efforts to engage with the public, stakeholders, and industry partners. She directs the Public Affairs office, manages media relations, and supports programs that promote Tennessee’s agricultural story across the state and beyond.

Before joining TDA, Ramsey worked as a coordinator for Public Policy and Government Relations at Merck Animal Health, where she advanced future talent development programs and communication initiatives for the North America Public Policy team. Prior to that, she was manager of the NASDA Foundation, overseeing workforce development programs, grants and partnerships that strengthened the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Ramsey’s connection to agriculture began in New York City, where she joined the area’s only FFA chapter as a high school student. She continues to give back to agricultural youth as a member of the New York FFA Association’s Give FFA Day Committee.

A native of Queens, New York, Ramsey earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in agricultural and environmental education, with an emphasis in agricultural communication, from the University of Georgia. She earned her doctorate in agricultural leadership, education, and communication, with a focus on science communication, at the University of Georgia, where she also serves as a graduate research and teaching assistant.

In her free time, Ramsey enjoys spending time with her husband, Blake, and their two rescue dogs, Georgia and Texas.