USDANEWS VOLUME 57 NO. 6 - AUGUST 1998

INSIDE THE "USDA NEWS"

1. 'Twas Long Awaited And Hotly Debated; It's 'Open Season' To Switch To FERS
      And If You Do It, It's Irrevocable

2. 'Convergence' Is In; 3 Separate Support Structures Are Out
       Next Stop; October 1
   
   
3. Secretary Dan Glickman [Spanish version]
   
   
4. Administrative NUGGETS
   
   
5. Employees Make These Things Happen
   
   
6. USDA-Sponsored Calendar Highlights
   
   
7. Editor's Roundup -- USDA people in the news

• Glenda Humiston was named as deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment.
  
  
• Darwin Murrell was selected as deputy administrator for the National Program Staff with the Agricultural Research Service.
  
  
• Phyllis Johnson was selected as director of the Agricultural Research Service's Beltsville Area, based in Beltsville, Md.
  
  
• Chris Alsop was selected as the deputy administrator for community programs in the Rural Housing Service.
  
  
• Ed Cooney was appointed as deputy administrator for special nutrition programs in the Food and Nutrition Service.
  
  
• Susan Carr Gossman was named as deputy administrator for the food stamp program in the Food and Nutrition Service.
  
  
• Chris McLean was named as the deputy administrator for program policy and telecommunications with the Rural Utilities Service.
  
  
• Look over there: Joel Floyd is "sporting bugs on his t-shirt" again.