Ex-Utahn appointed to agriculture post

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 4, 2009 | by Lee Davidson Deseret News

Former Utahn Robin Heard has been appointed as a deputy assistant secretary of agriculture.

Heard was once the assistant state conservationist in Utah for the Soil Conservation Service. She has been most recently serving as the acting deputy assistant secretary of civil rights at the Agriculture Department.

She is a native of Louisiana and is a graduate of the University of Louisiana in Monroe. She began her career with the department in 1976 with the Soil Conservation Service. She served in several positions across the country, including as state conservationist in Pennsylvania and in Georgia as a human resources officer, financial manager and a resource conservationist.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced her appointment, along with the appointment of Alma Cobb Hobbs also as a deputy assistant secretary -- both to work with assistant agriculture secretary Pearlie Reed.

"Dr. Hobbs and Ms. Heard will be key players as we improve management transparency and ensure equal access to departmental programs," Vilsack said. "Together they bring years of senior executive experience along with strong support for President Obama's vision for the future at the department."

-- Lee Davidson