People
News Date January 12, 2010
Karen Ross has been appointed the new Chief of Staff at USDA. Ross replaces John Norris who was recently confirmed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Most recently, Ross was President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers since 1996. Her prior experience includes ten years as an advocate for agricultural and rural electric cooperatives at the state and national level, as well as work in the United States Senate and on Senate and Presidential campaigns. (Contact: Bob Ehart)
Mike Michener was recently named as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s Special Representative at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, based in Rome, Italy. In this capacity Mr. Michener will be working to serve USDA’s international goals well as continue to advocate for the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). As of January 1, 2010, General Sales Manager John Brewer became Acting Administrator for FAS. (Contact: Amy Mann)
Former USDA White House Liaison John Berge has been named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. (Contact: Farm Policy Staff)