Allison A. Thomas serves as the Deputy Administrator for Trade Policy at the USDA FAS and oversees the trade policy agenda for U.S. agricultural exports.  An international advocate and proponent for trade, Allison has spent the last 20+ years working to expand the global footprint for American agriculture.  A Louisiana native, Allison obtained a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural economics from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, respectively.  She also studied abroad at Scotland’s Rural College in Aberdeen, Scotland.  Allison is the recipient of the 2015 “Distinguished Young Alumni” Award from the University of Arkansas.  She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students.