"I'm pleased today that the U.S. Senate has acted to confirm the nominations to four very important positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I look forward to welcoming to our leadership team Dr. Gale Buchanan, as under secretary for Research, Education and Economics; Boyd Rutherford as assistant secretary for Administration; Linda Strachan as assistant secretary for congressional relations and Marc Kesselman as general counsel.

"Each of these nominees has demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities throughout their careers in both public and private service and I'm confident that they will greatly contribute to fulfilling USDA's mission of service to our citizens. I look forward to working with them in delivering the programs and services that are the hallmark of USDA's commitment to our employees and the people we serve."

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Dr. Gale Buchanan will lead USDA's Research, Education and Economics (REE) mission area as under secretary. Buchanan served as dean and director emeritus at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia until April 2005. Earlier in his career he served for 20 years on the Auburn University faculty before moving to Georgia as associate director for the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station and resident director of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station. Buchanan received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida and his doctorate degree from Iowa State University.

Boyd K. Rutherford will serve as assistant secretary for departmental administration. He currently serves as secretary for the Maryland Department of General Services. Previously, he served as associate administrator in the Offices of Performance Improvement and Small Business Utilization for the United States General Services Administration. Earlier in his career, he served as the director of Business Development for the Kelly Law Registry. Mr. Rutherford received his bachelor's degree from Howard University. He went on to receive his master's degree and J.D. from the University of Southern California.

Linda Avery Strachan will serve as assistant secretary of agriculture for Congressional Relations. Strachan formerly served as director of Federal Government Affairs for the Monsanto Company. Prior to this, she served as special assistant to the assistant secretary of State in the Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the Department of State. Earlier in her career, she served the United States Environmental Protection Agency as special assistant to the assistant administrator for the Offices of Pesticides and Toxic Substances as well as Policy, Planning and Evaluation. Strachan received her bachelor's degree from Greensboro College, N.C.

Marc L. Kesselman will serve as general counsel of the Department of Agriculture. Kesselman currently serves as deputy general counsel in the Office of Management and Budget, where he previously served as associate general counsel. Previously, he served as senior counsel in the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice. Prior to joining the Bush administration, Kesselman was an associate with Ropes & Gray, LLP. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Julia S. Gibbons, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court in Memphis, Tenn. Kesselman received his bachelor's degree from Cornell University and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania

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