On January 20, 2001, Ann Veneman officially became the 27^th secretary of agriculture in USDA’s 139-year history. She succeeded Dan Glickman, who served as USDA’s secretary from March 30, 1995 until he resigned on January 20, 2001, and is now a partner in the Public Law and Policy Practice Group of the Washington, DC-based lobbying and law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld.

Veneman was sworn in on January 20, the same day that her nomination as agriculture secretary had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a unanimous voice vote. Earlier, during her confirmation hearing on January 18 before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Veneman had pledged that, as USDA secretary, “I will work to foster an atmosphere of teamwork, innovation, mutual respect, and common sense within the Department and focus our delivery systems on quality service to our customers.”

Secretary Ann Veneman (center) is joined by fellow cabinet-level colleagues during their collective swearing-in ceremony on January 20. Joining her are (L to R) Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, and Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Cabinet Albert Hawkins. --Photo by Hyungwon Kang

Before rejoining USDA, from 1999 until her recent swearing-in Veneman was a partner in the law firm of Nossaman, Guthner, Knox & Elliott in Sacramento, Calif., where she specialized in food, agriculture, the environment, technology, and trade-related issues. She served as secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1995-99, where she managed agricultural programs and services for the nation’s largest agricultural producing state. During her tenure she pioneered programs and partnerships to enhance food safety, pest and disease prevention and control, and agriculture education. She also made it a priority to expand global opportunities for California agriculture.

From 1991-93 Veneman served as USDA’s deputy secretary. The July 1991 issue of the USDA News carried her complete biographical sketch, following her selection to that position. She served as USDA’s deputy under secretary for international affairs and commodity programs from 1989-91, where she focused on international affairs for the Department, including trade policy, trade negotiations, and food aid. From 1987-89 she was the associate administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service. She joined USDA in 1986, serving as an assistant to the FAS administrator, where she concentrated on trade policy.

During her previous tenure at USDA Veneman was actively involved in the Uruguay Round of negotiations concerning the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Veneman, who was raised on a peach farm in Modesto, Calif., holds a B.A. degree in political science from the University of California at Davis, an M.A. degree in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.

Secretary Ann Veneman (center) greets USDA employees in the Patio of USDA’s Whitten Building in Washington, DC, following her remarks to employees on January 23. --Photo by Ken Hammond

According to Doug Bowers, a history specialist with the Economic Research Service, Veneman is the ninth secretary of agriculture to have worked at USDA as an employee in a previous capacity before becoming its secretary. That group of nine includes Clayton Yeutter (who served as secretary from 1989-91), Richard Lyng (1986-89), Bob Bergland (1977-81), John Knebel (1976-77), Earl Butz (1971-76), Charles Brannan (1948-53), Claude Wickard (1940-45), and Howard Gore (1924-25). In addition, Bowers noted, Veneman is the second USDA secretary from California, with Lyng being the first.

On January 23, her second full day at the office, Veneman spoke to employees gathered in the Patio of USDA’s Whitten Building in Washington, DC. Emphasizing her pleasure at being back at the Department, she pointed out that she began her career with USDA with the Foreign Agricultural Service in USDA’s South Building-- which resulted in additional cheers and applause from those gathered employees who were no doubt also from FAS and/or the South Building.

Veneman then underscored her appreciation for the Department’s career employees.

“I just can’t tell you how much I think of the career staff here,” she affirmed, “because it’s what makes this Department the great place that it is.”