WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump has announced two key prospective appointments to oversee key aspects of the USDA; the President has declared his intent to nominate Ted McKinney for Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and Dr. Sam Clovis for Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue—nominated by Trump this January and confirmed this April—praised the two appointments in a statement released by the USDA.
“For our new Under Secretary position emphasizing international trade, I have always said that I want someone who wakes up every morning asking how we can sell more American agricultural products in foreign markets,” said Perdue, on the selection of McKinney. “Ted McKinney is that person. His longstanding background in agriculture, economic development, and global issues will make him an unapologetic advocate for U.S. products in the world marketplace.”
McKinney is currently serving as Director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture, having been appointed by former Governor Mike Pence—now Vice President in the Trump Administration. According to local news source Indy Star, McKinney was raised on a farm in Tipton, Indiana, and served as Elanco Products Company, an ag chemical subsidiary of Eli Lilly, as Director of Global Corporate Affairs prior to joining the Department of Agriculture.
According to the Washington Post, Clovis is a former economics professor at Morningside College who recently served as a campaign policy advisor to the Trump campaign.
“Dr. Clovis was one of the first people through the door at USDA in January and has become a trusted advisor and steady hand as we continue to work for the people of agriculture,” noted Perdue in the USDA’s statement. “He looks at every problem with a critical eye, relying on sound science and data, and will be the facilitator and integrator we need. Dr. Clovis has served this nation proudly since he was a very young man, and I am happy he is continuing to serve.”
For more on important appointments in agriculture, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
