Our team offers a bumper crop of collective experience.

MeeCee's years of experience, technical knowledge of client issues, and homegrown commitment to their concerns have made her name synonymous with agricultural and rural issues in Pennsylvania. In sum, she is credentialed and connected.

Dr. Baker owns Versant Strategies, a premier governmental relations firm focused on agricultural, environmental, and rural issues. Versant has represented dozens of clients in the Harrisburg and DC marketplace ranging from small farms and businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Baker's networking skills allow her to efficiently and effectively move client messages to advocate on their behalf.

Previously, Dr. Baker served in the executive office of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. While there, she directed the educational outreach for the Department using the knowledge, skills, and traits she perfected during her 20 years behind a teacher's desk at secondary and post-secondary institutions. Baker served as a faculty member at Penn State, an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University, and was the first woman elected president of the National Association of Agricultural Educators. She is known nationwide as a published author and columnist with frequent engagements as a motivational keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

Dr. Baker was named an Alumni Fellow at Penn State University and delivered the commencement address at the College of Agricultural Sciences spring graduation. She also received the prestigious Medal of Honor Award from the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture (PSPA), the oldest (1785) continuously operating agricultural society in the country. PSPA was involved in establishing the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. In addition, Baker was honored with the esteemed Jefferson Award by the Penn Ag Democrats. She holds a master's degree in agricultural economics and a PhD in agricultural education.

Baker was named number three on City and State's Power Ag 100 and one of the 50 over 50 by the same group. She also was recognized as a top 30 Lawyers and Lobbyists by the Central Penn Business Journal and was pleased the firm was recognized in the City and State Top 50 Lobbyists.

MeeCee and her husband, Jim Garofalo, a retired PA State Police Major, live on the Baker homestead farm in Juniata County. Her daughter Libby, a Lutheran Pastor, was a former State FFA President.

Ron's service as an elected Representative provides inside the Capitol knowledge of the legislative process. This experience and his ongoing relationships with elected officials and staff give Versant’s governmental relations practice an edge in client service.

Ron's extensive experience in state and local government helps Versant's clients set strategies to achieve their legislative and regulatory goals. Ron served in the PA House of Representatives for over 20 years and was an active member of the House Consumer Affairs and Rules Committees. Ultimately, he was named Secretary of the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and became Chairman of the House Liquor Committee. Prior to his election to represent the 162nd House District, Ron served as Mayor of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. More recently, he worked in governmental affairs serving a myriad of interests in the State Capitol. His ability to navigate the political system and develop game day style contingency strategies affords Versant clients elevated service.

Ryan’s extensive experience in small business, political strategy, and service to his community allows him to impact government officials while growing our client's influence in the Capitol and beyond.

Smith grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, deeply influenced by his family’s restaurant business, where he worked throughout high school and college. Soon after, he honorably served for six years as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserves. During that time, he engaged in local, state, and federal political campaigns, paving the way for a meaningful career with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Ryan then became political director for Governor Josh Shapiro’s successful Attorney General campaign. He later consulted on multiple statewide races before joining the Pennsylvania Democratic State Party as deputy executive director/political director, where he helped secure victories for Pennsylvania House, Senate, Gubernatorial, and U.S. Senate and Congressional campaigns.

Following successful campaign cycles, Ryan served as deputy campaign manager for Governor Shapiro’s Attorney General reelection and Gubernatorial races. He then served the Shapiro Administration as special assistant to the PA Secretary of Agriculture, where he advised on policy, legislation, communications, and stakeholder relations. These experiences deepened his appreciation for rural and agricultural policy, specifically the importance of supporting small, diverse, and innovative businesses and the significance of increasing economic development in our rural, suburban, and urban communities.

Ryan, his wife Stefanie, daughter Ava, and dogs Abbey and Leila live in Cumberland County. He enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Derek Snyder's upbringing in rural Pennsylvania, affection for government, and desire to make a positive change allow him to efficiently and effectively serve clients' needs.

From a young age, Snyder developed a love of agriculture and advocacy, with his first childhood job being a door-to-door fruit salesman for an Adams County orchard. Prior to joining Versant Strategies, Snyder worked as a reporter for Pennsylvania Legislative Services and served as a legislative aide for State Representative Torren Ecker.

In college, he completed an internship with the UK Parliament in the House of Commons where he worked for MP Paul Maynard, who was Rail Minister in Prime Minister Theresa May's and Boris Johnson's Cabinets. Snyder graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in corporate innovation and a Bachelor of Arts in economics. Derek is the grandson of the late Luther Snyder, who was elected President of the Pennsylvania State Grange and appointed as Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Derek continues his grandparents’ Grange involvement as a 5th generation member, holding various leadership positions in the Pennsylvania State and National Granges. In his free time, Snyder volunteers for the board of a local non-profit that helps individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries.

He enjoys hiking, Philadelphia, and Penn State sports, traveling with his fiancé Melissa, and spending time with family and friends.

Caleb's organizational skills, impassioned advocacy, and governmental relations savvy allow him to activate client audiences and attract the attention of decision makers. Caleb has become a go-to source for both industry personnel and legislative staff.

Chief Strategist Caleb Wright's roots run deep in Pennsylvania's agricultural community, and accolades earned during his career have marked him as a rising voice of rural America.

Raised on a Huntingdon County sheep and goat farm that has borne his family's name for over a century, Wright grew up as the grandson of the region's renowned veterinarian, Doc Kyper. Prior to joining Versant Strategies, he taught high school agriculture in New Hollard, PA, and in his early youth was a state FFA (Future Farmers of America) officer and national FFA officer candidate.

Wright graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural and extension education. Further, he was named one of the “30 under 30” (the only Pennsylvanian) by AgGrad, and a “40 Under 40” by City and State PA. Caleb was also listed on City and State’s PA Ag Power 100 List. Wright has served on numerous boards in leadership positions, including President of the PA FFA Foundation, and President of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society Board. Wright volunteers to support the National MS Society.

Wright advocates both in Harrisburg and Washington and is the firm’s foremost Farm Bill expert. He and his husband Ryan Osborne co-own Armstrong Valley Winery located in Halifax.

Versant appreciates having Andrea’s financial management skills on hand – and so do clients.

Andrea manages accounts receivable and payable, prepares invoices, and generates the financial documents that keep Versant's business arm running smoothly. Updegrove's bookkeeping skills gleaned from her experiences with a broad range of organizations (local businesses, large corporations, associations, and nonprofits) are available to and valued by clients.

The Versant team thanks former House Appropriations Chair and Founder John Barley.

Beyond his service within state government, Barley was a frequent deliverer of political commentary on TV. He is also well known as the founder of Star Rock Farms in 1963, which has grown to become Pennsylvania’s largest multi-enterprise farming operation.