Lowell Randel, a veteran agricultural policy strategist with more than two decades of experience navigating the intersection of science, industry and government, has been named executive director of a new agricultural policy initiative at Texas Tech.
Randel, a lawyer and former USDA official known for his work in both the public and private sectors, will lead the newly established Agricultural Policy Advocacy Program housed in the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics within Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.
“I look forward to advancing the new Agricultural Policy Advocacy Program and building on the university's strong foundation in producing tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture,” Randel said. His appointment, effective Aug. 1, marks a significant expansion of the college’s policy engagement portfolio and is part of a broader effort to elevate Texas Tech’s national profile in agricultural and resource policy.
“We are excited to have Lowell join Davis College,” said Darren Hudson, associate dean for strategic initiatives and assessment. “He brings a wealth of expertise in government relations and policy advocacy that will be invaluable for our students.”
Randel’s role will center on cultivating a new generation of policy-savvy graduates, with a special focus on training undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to become effective advocates in the agricultural sector.
Plans also include the creation of an Institute for Agricultural & Natural Resource Policy Excellence—a dual-purpose center that will combine academic research with graduate-level education, culminating in a new master’s degree in Agricultural & Resource Policy.
Prior to his arrival at Texas Tech, Randel served as president of The Randel Group, a Virginia-based government relations firm. His resume includes service as the Washington, D.C. representative for the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association and work with organizations such as the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the American Society of Animal Science.
During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Randel held senior roles, including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations and Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs for the agency’s Research, Education & Economics mission area.
Randel is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned degrees in agricultural economics and agricultural development. He holds a law degree from George Mason University.
The Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at Texas Tech includes nearly 20 faculty members and serves more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a range of academic programs including agribusiness, international agribusiness, and applied economics, with study abroad options across Latin America, Asia and Europe.
CONTACT: Phillip Johnson, chairman and director of the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute, Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-0474 or phil.johnson@ttu.edu
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