Jim Butler was named as the deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.

Before joining USDA, from July 2000 until he was recently appointed to this position Butler served as the deputy vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He was the associate vice chancellor for external affairs, agriculture and life sciences for that university from 1998-2000, after having served as its assistant vice chancellor for external affairs, agriculture program from 1990-98.

Butler was executive vice president of the National Wool Growers Association, based in Denver, from 1987-89. From 1985-87 he worked as an Extension sheep specialist with the Cooperative Extension Service at Colorado State University. He worked as a wool warehouse manager and operated extensive ranch operations involving sheep and cattle in Roswell, N.M., from 1979-85. From 1965-2001 he co-owned and co-operated Butler and Son Charolais Ranch, a purebred Charolais cattle operation in Brazos County, Texas.

A native of College Station, Butler holds a B.S. degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, an M.S. degree in animal science from New Mexico State University, and a Ph.D. degree in animal physiology from the University of Arizona.

Enrique Figueroa, the previous deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, held that position from June 1999 until January 2001 and is currently working as a consultant in several agriculturally-related areas. ¤