Biographical Sketch

William T. “Bill” Hawks
Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs

William T. Hawks was sworn in as the under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman on May 24, 2001.

He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1968 with a bachelors of science degree in agricultural economics. He then went on to obtain his masters degree from Mississippi State in agricultural economics in 1970.

Prior to his appointment as Under Secretary, Hawks was the managing partner of Hawks Farming.  At different times throughout his career, he operated a dairy farm, grew vegetables for fresh consumption, had a beef cow herd, and grew cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans on land in northern Mississippi.

In December of 1994, Hawks was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, representing his native DeSoto County. During his five years as a state senator, he was a leader on the committees with jurisdiction over agriculture and the environment.

During the early 1990s, the Hawks owned and managed Northwest Mississippi Flying Service, Incorporated, an agricultural aerial application service, and also owned and operated a recreational airport.

In the late 1980s, Hawks was a part owner in a professional farm management company, Sunbelt Land and Timber Company, Incorporated.

Hawks started farming after finishing graduate school by owning and operating a dairy in DeSoto County. In the early 1970’s, he began to lease acreage from neighbors to get started in a row crop operation, often doing custom work for others. Over the years, this has evolved into the multi-faceted operation in place today.

Throughout his career, he has been very active in many agricultural boards and committees such as American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, and many active state and local organizations.

From 1968 to 1970, Hawks served in the Army Reserve. Then from 1970 to 1972, he served in the Army National Guard. Following that, Mr. Hawks served in the Air National Guard from 1972 until 1980.

Hawks was born on November 22, 1944 near Oxford, Mississippi.