Theodore H. Gutman

Before rejoining USDA, Ted served as Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), where he led a major transformation of the office to better align its operations with NASA’s mission. Under his leadership, the office strengthened its performance and improved agency-wide coordination, ensuring statutory responsibilities were executed efficiently and effectively.

Ted brings a strong history with USDA, having previously served as Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. He also served as the National Civil Rights Director for the USDA Forest Service, overseeing national operations and improving agency responsiveness. Earlier roles at USDA included Director of the Complaints Adjudication Division and Acting Director and Deputy Director for Human Resources at Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services (MRPBS).

Ted began his federal career after working in private practice as in-house counsel for Evan Kemp Associates Health and Mobility Systems, a small health equipment company in Maryland. His early public service included work with the President’s Committee on Employment for Persons with Disabilities and Catholic Charities Legal Network. Ted is a graduate of the District of Columbia School of Law, and the American University.