Ray Starling to Speak at 2025 Ag Aviation Expo Kickoff Breakfast

NAAA is pleased to announce the 2025 Ag Aviation Expo Kickoff Breakfast speaker, Ray Starling, whose roots run deep in agricultural politics. Starling had his pulse on agricultural issues during President Trump’s first term serving as his principal agriculture advisor at the White House and as chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue where he coordinated the execution of the Secretary’s policy agenda for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a $140 billion agency with more than 100,000 employees. He focused on regulatory and deregulatory initiatives and acted as a point of contact for stakeholders throughout agriculture and rural communities.

In the fall of 2022, Starling released his book Farmers Versus Foodies, in which he shares some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of the farming and food system in the United States and beyond. He’ll also share his insights of what is in store for the U.S. agricultural sector during Trump’s second term. Currently, he serves as the chief counsel for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He cut his teeth in the Tar Heel state serving as chief of staff and chief counsel for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis after serving as general counsel when Tillis was Speaker of the House in the North Carolina legislature. He also worked as general counsel for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, interfacing daily with Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Starling has taught numerous agricultural and food law courses. He grew up on a Century Family Farm in southeastern North Carolina and credits that experience as having more to do with his career path than any other influence or opportunity. His parents and eldest brother continue to farm. Starling was a National FFA Officer and is a former 4-H member. Attendee registration will open in July.