Mack Gray was named deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment, responsible for policy related to the programs of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

From January 2001 until his appointment to this position Gray served as acting deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment. Before rejoining USDA, he had been retired, since June 1991, following 35 years with USDA’s Soil Conservation Service, the predecessor agency to NRCS. From December 1990 until his retirement he had served as the agency’s associate chief. The March 1991 issue of the USDA News carried his complete biographical sketch, following his selection to that position.

Gray served as acting chief of SCS from July to December 1990. During his career with the agency he also worked in such positions as assistant to the chief for strategic planning and budget analysis, director of congressional and public liaison, director of the agency’s Economics Division, a program analyst, a district conservationist in Brownfield, Texas, and a soil conservationist in Levelland and Kenedy, Texas.

A native of Holland, Texas, where he grew up on a dairy farm, Gray holds a B.S. degree in agricultural education as well as an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree, both in agricultural economics-- all from Texas A&M University.

Glenda Humiston, the previous deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment, held that position from July 1998 until January 2001, and now resides in Sonoma County, Calif., as director of government relations for the Agnosco Institute, a California-based nonprofit collaboration of groups which make access to information concerning sustainable agriculture more affordable and usable to family farmers and non-governmental organizations around the world. •