Washington, DC
January 4, 2008
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) today announced two changes to its senior management
staff.
Rebecca Bech,
formerly deputy administrator of biotechnology and
regulatory services (BRS), has been named deputy
administrator for plant protection and quarantine (PPQ)
and
Michael Gregoire,
formerly deputy administrator of policy and program
development, as deputy administrator for biotechnology
and regulatory services (BRS).
“Rebecca and Mike were doing
outstanding jobs serving in their former positions,” said APHIS
administrator Cindy Smith, “but recent vacancies have allowed us
to focus on continuing to build a team of agency leaders with
strong, broad-based management experience. Both of these leaders
have amassed an impressive string of accomplishments in their
various positions in APHIS.”
Bech began her career with APHIS in 1986 as a PPQ officer, and
throughout her time at APHIS has gained diverse experience by
supporting several different programs, including PPQ, policy and
program development, recruitment and development, and marketing
and regulatory programs business services, where she acted as
the USDA liaison for invasive species. Prior to becoming deputy
administrator for BRS in June 2007, Bech served as BRS’
associate deputy administrator for emerging and international
programs. In her new role as PPQ deputy administrator, she will
provide executive leadership and direction to a nationally
dispersed staff responsible for safeguarding U.S. plant
resources from destructive pests and diseases.
Gregoire began his Federal career as a budget analyst with APHIS
in 1978 and served in various positions and programs over the
continuing years, including among others, the agency’s budget
officer, the chief of staff to the administrator, and the agency
chief information officer. He was appointed deputy administrator
for policy and program development in March 2005, and provided
leadership and guidance for the agency in the areas of planning,
policy development, budgeting, regulatory decision-making and
compliance with environmental statutes and regulations. In his
new role as BRS deputy administrator, he will provide leadership
and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction
(importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of
genetically engineered organisms.
“Rebecca’s strong coalition building skills combined with her
seasoned management experience and former background in PPQ make
her an excellent choice for the new PPQ deputy. And, Mike’s
business acumen, knowledge of regulatory and environmental
function management, coupled with his numerous years in various
APHIS leadership roles, have well prepared him for this new
position. I am pleased my colleagues are up to this challenge,
and I am confident that they will serve the agency well in their
new roles.”
APHIS’ mission is to protect the health and value of American
agriculture and natural resources. As part of this mission, BRS
is responsible for regulating the importation, interstate
movement and field testing of genetically engineered organisms.
APHIS programs protect U.S. agriculture from foreign animal and
plant pests and disease, control and eradicate certain domestic
pests and disease, administrate laws pertaining to the humane
care of animals and carry out wildlife management activities. |
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