APHIS LIAISON TO NASDA APPOINTED

News Date February 18, 2008

        At the NASDA Midyear meeting, Cindy Smith, administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), announced that she had created a new position, located in the Intergovernmental Affairs staff of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA). The primary purpose of this new position is to serve as the national coordinator and principal communication link between APHIS and state governments (e.g., NASDA member agencies) and national organizations (e.g., NASDA) on policy and technical matters to facilitate effective communications and harmonious relationships with these entities and ensure effective functioning of APHIS programs. In addition, the position will advise, consult, and coordinate with all APHIS program deputy administrators and staff, as well as existing intergovernmental affairs specialists in LPA and other program state liaisons, to establish and implement processes and a national plan for effectively communicating and working with State governments and National organizations. It i s envisioned that this position will work closely with the Animal & Plant Health Safeguarding Coordinator, a position that was created at NASDA as a part of a cooperative agreement between NASDA and APHIS.

       Cindy also announced that Hallie Zimmers will serve as the interim state liaison for APHIS while the agency recruits to fill the position. Prior to being named the interim state liaison, Zimmers was LPA's assistant director of public affairs. In this role, she provided direction to APHIS' team of public affairs specialists, planned major press announcements, and developed and implemented national outreach strategies to ensure that the agency's messages were clearly communicated to the public on such high profile topics as biotechnology, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and avian influenza. Before becoming assistant director in 2005, Zimmers spent two years as an intergovernmental affairs specialist in LPA where she was responsible for interfacing with congressional offices and communicating with stakeholders about all APHIS activities. Zimmers began her career with APHIS in 1999 as a public affairs specialist. Prior to joining APHIS, Zimmers worked as a reporter for The Journal Newspapers in Fairfax, Virginia. 

       Zimmers can be reached at Hallie.Zimmers@aphis.usda.gov or at 202/720-0378 or by using Bob Ehart, NASDA's animal & plant health safeguarding coordinator, as a conduit. (Contact: Bob Ehart)