Release No.0104.00
ERIC OLSEN NAMED CHIEF OF STAFF
                                    Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                          andy.solomon@usda.gov
                                                               

ERIC OLSEN NAMED CHIEF OF STAFF

     WASHINGTON, March 31, 2000  Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has named
Eric Olsen as Chief of Staff to the Secretary.  He replaces Greg Frazier who
will become the United States Trade Representative's Special Trade Negotiator
for Agriculture and Food Policy.

     "Eric Olsen has a breadth of knowledge and experience on a wide array of
important issues facing the Department of Agriculture," said Glickman.  "Eric
has served me well as a senior policy advisor for many years, and he will
continue to be indispensable as my Chief of Staff."

     As the Chief of Staff, Olsen will serve as the Secretary's senior
manager, policy maker, and primary representative to the White House,
Congress, other Federal agencies, and constituent organizations.  He will
oversee the development and implementation of policies and programs to carry
out USDA's $105 billion budget. 

     At USDA, Olsen has served as Counsel to the Secretary on Domestic Policy
and Special Assistant to the Secretary since 1994.  His expertise cuts across
all mission areas at USDA.  He has worked on appropriations, food safety,
concentration, research, biotechnology, organic standards, ethanol, and
marketing and regulatory issues. 

     Previously, Olsen was Legislative Counsel to Minnesota Congressman David
Minge.  Before coming to Washington, he was Attorney for Farmers' Legal Action
Group, and at the St. Cloud Area Legal Services.  He has also served as
Research Assistant to Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department
as well as the Government Relations Representative of The Pillsbury Company.  

     Olsen received a B.A. in liberal arts and a J.D. from the University of
Minnesota.

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