WASHINGTON – Growth Energy announced today that Anne Steckel will be the group’s Director of Government Affairs and Ted Monoson has joined the organization as its Director of Legislative Affairs. Steckel is a former aide to majority whip of the United States Senate, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and most recently served as the Director of Congressional Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Monoson is a former aide to House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH).
“We’re thrilled to add Anne and Ted’s legislative expertise to our government affairs team,” said Tom Buis, Growth Energy CEO. “Growth Energy is a very active voice in the public policy debate and the addition of these two leaders comes at a critical point for America’s ethanol producers and rural America.”
Growth Energy’s all-star line-up now consists of retired four-star General Wesley Clark serving as National Co-Chairman, Tom Buis as CEO and former Congressman and Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle as special advisor and board member. The group has also moved into new office space at 777 North Capitol Street Northeast in Washington, D.C. and hired office support staff.
Monoson and Steckel form a formidable team with deep knowledge of the inner workings of Congressional leadership. Their work will entail advancing Growth Energy’s policy priorities, which include increasing the blend of ethanol in our fuel supply to up to 15 percent and ensuring America’s farmers and ethanol producers can continue to provide alternative fuels to power our nation.
“We look forward to working with the Obama administration and Members of Congress to demonstrate how increased use of ethanol can continue to be an engine for job growth, a solution to our foreign oil problem and a critical part of a clean energy economy,” said Steckel.
“Growth Energy is taking an aggressive approach to promote ethanol as part of the solution to our energy and economic challenges,” said Monoson. “I’m excited to be part of a team that will be at the forefront of making renewable energy a critical part of our nation’s future.”
About Anne Steckel
Anne Steckel has worked on agriculture and energy issues for more than a dozen years. Earlier in her career, she served as legislative director for former United States Representative David Phelps (D-IL) and handled agricultural, environmental and transportation issues, including staffing the congressman during debate over the 2002 Farm Bill. She also worked as legislative assistant to the majority whip of the United States Senate, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). She handled agricultural and trade issues for the Senator and was actively engaged in provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 affecting ethanol. Anne joined the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) public policy team as director of congressional relations in 2006. At AFBF Anne specialized in energy and conservation issues.
About Ted Monoson
Ted Monoson has been involved in agriculture and energy policy for more than 10 years. Before coming to Washington, D.C., in 1999, he worked as an agriculture reporter for the Terre Haute, Ind., Tribune-Star. After moving to Washington, D.C., he reported on agriculture, energy and natural resources for Congressional Quarterly. After covering the 2002 Farm Bill for Congressional Quarterly, Ted covered Washington, D.C., for the Billings (Mont.) Gazette, The Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and other Western newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises. In 2005, Ted left reporting and joined the office of Ohio Congressman John Boehner (R-OH), who is currently the House Republican leader. As a senior legislative assistant, Ted worked on agriculture policy for both the 8th Congressional District of Ohio, which Congressman Boehner represents and the Republican Leader’s office. In this capacity, he worked on the 2008 Farm Bill.
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.