Changes to APHIS senior leadership

[] [U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] APHIS Stakeholders, I want to share several changes we are making in APHIS’ senior leadership. First, Mr. Shea and I have asked Associate Administrator Dr. Jack Shere to move into a Senior Leader role where he will focus on the important need to recruit to public service a qualified and diverse cadre of veterinarians, and those who are pursing degrees in other scientific disciplines of need for the agency. We are thankful that Dr. Shere is willing to take on this important effort for the agency. In this role, Dr. Shere will identify current and future staffing needs for the agency, develop an engagement and recruitment strategy, and work directly with colleges, universities and veterinary schools to encourage students to consider careers with APHIS. Dr. Shere has already begun working with other USDA agencies, industry groups, and university partners to explore a variety of available options to bring the next generation of qualified and dedicated veterinarians and scientists to APHIS. We also expect that Dr. Shere will utilize his impressive knowledge and experience to serve as a guest lecturer at various institutions during his tenure in this role. Second, as you may know, Dr. Donna Lalli has served as acting Associate Administrator since late February of this year, and I am pleased to announce that Dr. Lalli will be joining us permanently in the Administrator’s Office as an Associate Administrator. As Associate Administrator, Dr. Lalli will work with Administrator Kevin Shea and myself to carry out our day-to-day operations and oversee the activities of every Agency program area and support unit on behalf of our stakeholders and employees. Since 2021, Donna served as Wildlife Services (WS) Associate Deputy Administrator, where she provided executive leadership to the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program, the National Rabies Program, and the Airport Wildlife Hazards Program. Prior to joining WS, she completed a 10-month temporary assignment as Senior Policy Advisor in the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and served as the APHIS Science Advisor from 2017-2020. Donna started her APHIS career in Biotechnology Regulatory Services as a biotechnologist and Chief of Staff. Before joining APHIS, Donna worked for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service as a postdoctoral researcher at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV. Donna earned a Ph.D. in Genetics and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Clemson University. Additionally, I am also pleased to announce that Sarah Helming will permanently step into the role of Deputy Administrator for Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services (ERCS). As Deputy Administrator, Sarah will oversee overseeing APHIS’ select agents and toxins, investigative and enforcement, biodefense, and emergency management, safety and security programs. Sarah joined APHIS in 2014 and has held various positions throughout the Agency including Associate Deputy Administrator for ERCS, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Administrator and other roles in International Services, Veterinary Services, and Legislative and Public Affairs. Prior to joining APHIS, Sarah worked for several government entities including the U.S. Congress, the Nevada Legislature and Nebraska Health and Human Services. Sarah holds a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska. Lastly, I am pleased to announce Wendy Anderson as the new Director of the Wildlife Services Western Region. Wendy has nearly 25 years of experience with Wildlife Services, serving in a variety of positions at Headquarters, in National Programs, and in the Regions. Wendy previously served as the Western Region Assistant Director, Policy and Science Advisor to the Deputy Administrator, Assistant National Feral Swine Program Manager, NJ State Director, NEPA Coordinator for the Rabies Program, and as a wildlife biologist. Wendy holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in National Security from Troy University. She is a member of The Wildlife Society and a Certified Wildlife Biologist. I thank Jack, Donna, Sarah and Wendy for their dedication to APHIS and their willingness to take on these critical roles. Sincerely, Dr. Mike Watson Acting APHIS Administrator --------------------------------------------------------------- [Bookmark and Share]( Questions about APHIS programs and services? [Contact Us]( STAY CONNECTED: [USDA blog]( [APHIS Facebook]( [APHIS Twitter]( [APHIS YouTube]( [Sign up for email updates]( [APHIS Flickr]( SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: [Manage Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Help]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to {EMAIL} using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · 4700 River Rd · Riverdale, MD 20737 [GovDelivery logo](