The Agri/Washington Story
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Agri/Washington is a full-service public affairs firm with headquarters in Washington, D.C., founded by Paul Weller, who is shown meeting with several US President's in the adjacent photo. All Agri/Washington team members have the unique distinction of previously working in production agriculture and are blessed with that work ethic to help our clients navigate the world of Washington public affairs. Our staff offers a unique combination of experience in food and agricultural communications, government relations, grant facilitation, and business development services.
Agri/Washington has received numerous industry awards and has been selected to plan and manage all five of the U.S. Agricultural Communicators’ Congresses, the landmark national conference on Commercializing Industrial Uses of Agricultural Commodities, and scores of meetings and seminars on food and related issues. Agri/Washington was also selected, in conjunction with an allied firm, to facilitate a national futuring project for the extension and research programs of the nation’s Land Grant universities and contracted by NASA to assist on placing an agricultural capability on the International Space Station currently in orbit. Now, we are ready to work for you.
Meet the Agri/Team
Our office is headquartered steps from the White House, in the heart of Washington, D.C. Our neighbors include the federal government, thousands of associations, and the public affairs offices of every major corporation in America.
Founder and Principal Partner
Paul S. Weller Jr.
Weller has been a registered lobbyist and public affairs executive in the Nation's Capital for more than 40 years. He has met with five presidents, more than a hundred Members of Congress, and scores of agricultural and industry leaders. His professional responsibilities have included farm magazine writing, public relations account management, operation of a major agricultural PAC, media relations, and trade association management. He was instrumental in developing and implementing an active public affairs program for the Maryland Dairy Industry Association, to provide a unified voice for the state's dairy farmers. A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, Weller grew up on a dairy farm near that western Maryland city, graduated from the University of Maryland, earned a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves, and spent nearly 40 years in his chosen profession of agricultural communications. During that time, he has served on the editorial staffs of two major farm magazines, and managed the agricultural groups of two major agricultural public relations agencies. He has chaired the Washington Agricultural Roundtable, the Food Group, the Agricultural Relations Council, the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, the University of Maryland Alumni Association-International, the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources' Alumni Chapter board of directors, and his village council in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He is listed in Who's Who in America, and the Washington Blue Book, and several other distinguised awards: Alpha Gamma Rho Hall of Fame Outstanding Service to the University of Maryland Alpha Gamma Rho Distinguished Alumnus UofMD College of Agriculture Meritorious Service to Agriculture American Agricultural Editors Association Lifetime Achievement Award UofMD Alumni Association International Outstanding Leadership & Service Apple Processors Association Leadership, Vision, & Dedicated Service and more! While he calls himself "semi-retired", he's up to speed on hot topics, our daily operations and ready to go at a moment's notice!
CEO and Managing Partner
Andrea J. Ball
After working with Agri founder, Paul Weller, for over 20 years, Andrea now manages daily operations at Agri/Washington. She previously launched her own firm, PlanIt World in 2007, where she serves several associations. Andrea's multi-faceted experience includes over 25 years of experience, and she lectures nationally on communications and volunteer leadership. She was recognized in 2009 by the State Journal as a Generation Next winner highlighting "40 under 40" outstanding business leaders and was awarded two “Stars of the Industry” citations for tourism marketing and public relations. In 2016, she addressed the United Nations on the digital divide and women and has been published nationally in trade magazines. Andrea is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE), National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), Sigma Kappa Sorority, and the Kansas State Society. Her past positions include Executive Director at the MBCCVB, where she conceptualized and implemented Pickin’ In the Panhandle: The WV State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, working with the National FFA (and she was an FFA member), and other national agricultural and manufacturing trade associations. A native of Rock, KS, population 89, where her family still owns a working farm. Her passions include her two and four-legged family, traveling, and promoting rural America.
The A-Team (Agricultural Admin Team)
Jacquie, Heidi, Stacie, Chad, Jill & Morgan
Our consulting services are powered by the admin team at PlanIt World. Jacquie Ball, Operations Manager Jacquie's duties include client relations, daily operations oversight & in-house graphic artist, and writer. She attended Blue Ridge College, where she studied business and graphic design. Jacquie is also an artist and has been featured by Early American Life Directory of Traditional American Craft, volunteers with a stray cat rescue, and in case you were curious, she is also “lucky” enough to call Andrea her sister since 1976. Stacie A. Nelson, Administrative Assistant Stacie attended Southwestern College with majors in psychology and elementary education. In addition to holding a variety of jobs in churches and schools over the years, she also runs a part-time blogging business. Stacie and her husband, John, they have three beautiful daughters and two ornery dogs, Smalls & Max. Heidi Potucek, Finance Manager Heidi focuses on client bookkeeping, billing, and daily account servicing clients. She is an expert in QuickBooks and graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2004. Heidi’s prior background included medical billing and management. She and her husband Mitch, own an electrical contracting company and have two beautiful daughters. Chad Emrick, Communications & IT Manager Chad Emrick is a native of Parkersburg, WV and has served over 20 years in in the Army National Guard. He is a Master Sergeant and serves as the ESM Branch NCOIC at the National Guard Bureau. Chad handles onsite event audio visual and event logistics when he is not serving our country as a soldier. Thanks Chad, for your service! Jill Spickler, Support Specialist Jill is the PW Support Specialist with a focus on special projects. Jill's roots originated in Texas, where she attended Texas A&M University. Jill currently makes her home in the Mid-Atlantic region in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and oversees our Martinsburg, WV operations. Jill has previously owned several successful businesses and is a proud mom of two! Morgan Cook, Intern Extraordinaire Morgan is our college intern who is learning the ropes of communications, event management, and client services. She's always ready to dive right in and learn on the fly and we love this quality! Morgan attends Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, OK and is serving clients nationally.