| All of the following names of appointees came from Sec. Vilsack makes 48 appointments to key USDA posts (PDF). I've divided it into the USDA's "Mission Areas" with quotes from the USDA website explaining each of them.
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services helps to keep America's farmers and ranchers in business as they face the uncertainties of weather and markets. They deliver commodity, credit, conservation, disaster, and emergency assistance programs that help improve the stability and strength of the agricultural economy.
• Carolyn Cooksie, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS)
• Linda Treese, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA)
Farm Service Agency
FSA aids farmers and ranchers as it works to stabilize income through its efforts to conserve resources, provide credit and relieve operations from the effects of disaster.
• Dennis Taitano, Acting Administrator, FSA
• Sandra Wood, Acting Deputy Administrator for Commodity Operations, FSA
• Candy Thompson, Acting Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, FSA
• Chris Beyerhelm, Acting Deputy Administrator for Farm Loan Programs, FSA
• Robert Stephenson, Acting Deputy Administrator for Field Operations, FSA
Foreign Agricultural Service
FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. This USDA agency operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace.
• Patricia Sheikh, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
• Suzanne Hale, Acting Administrator, FAS
• Robert Riemenschneider, Acting Associate Administrator, FAS
RMA: Risk Management Agency
RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture.
• William Murphy, Acting Administrator, RMA
• Timothy Witt, Acting Associate Administrator, RMA
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services works to harness the Nation's agricultural abundance to end hunger and improve health in the United States. Its agencies administer federal domestic nutrition assistance programs and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers through science-based dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education.
• Tim O'Connor, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
Food and Nutrition Service
FNS increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthy diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence.
• Enrique Gomez, Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
• Ron Vogel, Acting Associate Administrator, FNS
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
CNPP works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
• Robert Post, Acting Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Food Safety
• Ron Hicks, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety
FSIS: Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSIS enhances public health and well-being by protecting the public from foodborne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged.
• Al Almanza, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Marketing and Regulatory Programs facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensures the health and care of animals and plants. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international standards.
• Cindy Smith, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP)
• Kevin Shea, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for MRP
AMS: Agricultural Marketing Service
AMS facilitates the strategic marketing of agricultural products in domestic and international markets while ensuring fair trading practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. AMS constantly works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction.
• David Shipman, Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service
APHIS: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
APHIS protects and promotes agricultural health by administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities.
• Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
GIPSA: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
GIPSA facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products. It also promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive markets for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade practices.
• Alan Christian, Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
Natural Resources and Environment
• Ann Bartuska, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE)
FS: Forest Service
FS sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
• Hank Kashdan, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Forest Service, NRE
NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.
• Doug Lawrence, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), NRE
• David White, Acting Chief, NRCS
• Leonard Jordan, Acting Regional Assistant Chief, Eastern Region, NRCS
• Diane Gelburd, Acting Regional Assistant Chief, Central Region, NRCS
• Ginger Murphy, Acting Regional Assistant Chief, Western Region, NRCS
Research, Education and Economics
• Katherine Smith, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
• Colien Hefferan, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
ARS: Agricultural Research Service
ARS is USDA's principal in-house research agency. ARS leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.
CSREES: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
In partnership with land-grant universities, and other public and private organizations, CREES provides the focus to advance a global system of extramural research, extension, and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences.
ERS: Economic Research Service
ERS is USDA's principal social science research agency. Each year, ERS communicates research results and socioeconomic indicators via briefings, analyses for policymakers and their staffs, market analysis updates, and major reports.
NAL: National Agricultural Library
NAL ensures and enhances access to agricultural information for a better quality of life.
NASS: National Agricultural Statistics Service
NASS serves the basic agricultural and rural data needs of the country by providing objective, important and accurate statistical information and services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and public officials. This data is vital to monitoring the ever-changing agricultural sector and carrying out farm policy.
Rural Development
RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. RD targets communities in need and then empowers them with financial and technical resources.
• Bill Hagy, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development
• Sherie Hinton Henry, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development
• Pat Fiala, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
• Chris Alsop, Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service
• Jim Newby, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service
OFFICES
That covers the USDA's mission areas. Here are the appointees to the USDA's offices that don't fall under their mission areas.
Departmental Administration
DA provides central administrative management support to Department officials and coordinates administrative programs and services.
• Russ Ashworth, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration
• Russ Ashworth, Acting Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
OASCR's mission is to facilitate the fair and equitable treatment of USDA customers and employees, while ensuring the delivery and enforcement of civil rights programs and activities. ASCR ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies for USDA customers and employees regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, political beliefs, parental status, protected genetic information, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all bases apply to all programs.)
• Robin Heard, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Office of Congressional Relations
OCR serves as the USDA's liaison with Congress. OCR works closely with members and staffs of various House and Senate Committees to communicate the USDA's legislative agenda and budget proposals.
• Christine Sarcone, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
• Doug Crandall, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
OCFO shapes an environment for USDA officials eliciting the high-quality financial performance needed to make and implement effective policy, management, stewardship, and program decisions.
• Jon Holladay, Acting Chief Financial Officer
Office of the General Counsel
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is an independent legal agency that provides legal advice and services to the Secretary of Agriculture and to all other officials and agencies of the Department with respect to all USDA programs and activities.
• James Michael Kelly, Acting General Counsel
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
OBPA provides centralized coordination and direction for the Department's budget, legislative and regulatory functions. It also provides analysis and evaluation to support the implementation of critical policies. OBPA administers the Department's budgetary functions and develops and presents budget-related matters to Congress, the news media, and the public.
• W. Scott Steele, Director, Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Office of the Chief Economist
OCE advises the Secretary on the economic situation in agricultural markets and the economic implications of policies and programs affecting American agriculture and rural communities. OCE serves as the focal point for economic intelligence and analysis related to agricultural markets and for risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis related to Departmental regulations affecting food and agriculture.
• Joseph Glauber, Chief Economist
Office of the Chief Information Officer
OCIO has the primary responsibility for the supervision and coordination of the design, acquisition, maintenance, use, and disposal of information technology by USDA agencies. OCIO's strategically acquires and uses information technology resources to improve the quality, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of USDA services.
• Christopher L. Smith, Acting Chief Information Officer
Office of Communications
OC is USDA's central source of public information. The office provides centralized information services using the latest, most effective and efficient technology and standards for communication. It also provides the leadership, coordination, expertise, and counsel needed to develop the strategies, products, and services that are used to describe USDA initiatives, programs, and functions to the public.
• Larry Quinn, Acting Director, Office of Communications
• Jim Brownlee, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Communications
• Jim Brownlee, Acting Press Secretary, Office of Communications. |
