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Vilsack’s New Job is Official

Cindy Zimmerman

With the inauguration of President Trump just days away, the Cabinet position of Agriculture Secretary remains vacant but former Secretary Tom Vilsack has already moved on and will be taking a new job as president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council on February 1.

“Growing the global market for U.S. dairy products is essential to the future of the dairy industry and America’s dairy farmers. I’ve spent my career in public service as a tireless advocate for farmers and American agriculture and can think of no better way to continue this service than by leading the U.S. Dairy Export Council,” said Vilsack. “I look forward to partnering with the dynamic team at USDEC as well as agriculture, food industry and key stakeholders at home and abroad to advance the council’s mission and strengthen trust in American dairy.”

As president and CEO, Vilsack will provide strategic leadership and oversight of USDEC’s global promotional and research activities, regulatory affairs and trade policy initiatives. This includes working with industry leaders to develop a long-term vision for building sales and consumer trust in U.S. dairy. Together with the USDEC board, he will create strategies to successfully achieve the shared vision. He will serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson and ambassador to a host of global and domestic stakeholders.

Vilsack succeeds Tom Suber, who served as president of USDEC since its founding in 1995, and retired at the end of 2016. USDEC is a non-profit, independent organization that seeks to enhance the global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients.

Agribusiness, Dairy