Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Communications Promotions & Appointments

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, announced several key promotions and appointments in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of the Commissioner and Office of Communications.

Franco Ripple has been promoted to Director of Strategic Initiatives, filling the role vacated by Shahra Lambert joining the Biden Administration at NASA. Erin Moffet has been promoted to Director of Strategic Communications and Federal Affairs, having served as Director of Federal Affairs since 2020. Caroline Stonecipher has been appointed as Deputy Director of Communications, joining the department from Capitol Hill. Ripple and Moffet began their new roles in July, and Stonecipher joined the department in early August.

“Communicating accurately and building innovative partnerships are crucial given the challenges facing our state, from the ongoing pandemic, to unfair foreign agricultural trade, to worsening climate change. I’m excited to announce the promotion and appointment of three incredibly talented professionals to manage these important responsibilities,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Franco’s experience and dedication has helped our department reach millions of Floridians during times of crisis, and he will effectively manage our strategic goals and innovation agenda. Erin has been a tremendous advocate for Florida’s $142 billion agriculture industry and our department’s priorities before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, and her communications expertise will help continue driving that success. Caroline’s communications skill gained in serving three U.S. Senators will help further promote our timely messaging to the people. I have full confidence in these fantastic members of our FDACS family to deliver results for Florida’s farmers, families, and consumers.”

Franco Ripple has served as the department’s Director of Communications since January 2019, and possesses well over a decade of experience in public, private, and political communications and policy. He previously served as Vice President of CATECOMM, a statewide public relations firm, where he counseled senior elected officials, corporate executives, and non-profit leaders on strategic communications, coalitions, and public policy. Ripple has served as an advisor to numerous gubernatorial, congressional, and statewide campaigns, as a White House advance staffer for then-Vice President Joe Biden, and most recently as North Florida Director on the Biden/Harris presidential campaign. In his new role, he will continue to advise on communications while managing strategic goals, partnerships, and innovation for FDACS. Ripple is a Florida native, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and his Master’s degree in International Affairs from the Florida State University.

Erin Moffet has served as the department’s Director of Federal Affairs since November 2020, having previously served as Deputy Director of Federal Affairs since March 2019. She joined FDACS following nine years on Capitol Hill, serving in senior communications and policy roles with U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings, U.S. Representative Lois Frankel, U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy, and U.S. Representative Charlie Crist. Moffet also worked on Crist’s and Murphy’s successful U.S. House campaigns in 2018, 2014, and 2012. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the Federal Affairs team while managing the Office of Communications and strategic communications for FDACS. Moffet earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Elon University, and her Master’s degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University.

Caroline Stonecipher joins the department after serving as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan. She previously served as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Doug Jones of Alabama, and as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. Stonecipher also served as an Associate in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel during the Obama Administration, and on the political teams of numerous members of the U.S. House of Representatives. She brings a wide range of statewide and federal communications and policy experience, and will serve as a spokesperson and assist in day-to-day communications functions of the department. Stonecipher was born and raised in Tallahassee, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida.

###