P Scott Shearer

P. Scott Shearer has extensive trade and agricultural policy expertise. As co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S. – China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Scott was instrumental in the successful passage of China permanent normal trade relations and TPA. He was a key advisor to the Embassy of Australia in the successful passage of the U.S. – Australia Free Trade Agreement. Scott led the effort for Congress to reauthorize the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD). This $34.5 million per year program is a key trade program for U.S. agriculture. Prior to joining the firm in 2003, Scott was Director of National Relations for Farmland Industries, Inc. and was named a private sector member of the US delegation to the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Seattle. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, directing the agency’s legislative efforts including the 1996 Farm Bill, trade policy, USDA reorganization, crop insurance reform, food safety and nutrition. In the mid-1980s, he was executive director of the National Corn Growers Association after serving as a legislative assistant to Senator Alan J. Dixon (IL). Scott is a past president of the Washington Agricultural Roundtable, the St. Louis Agri Business Club, the Illinois Group, Illinois State Society, and the Missouri–Kansas Forum. Scott received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Illinois.