Smith Named ERS Administrator

June 8, 2007 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on Thursday announced the selection of Katherine ("Kitty") Smith as administrator of the department's Economic Research Service (ERS). Dr. Smith will oversee the agency's program of economic and social science research and analysis.

"Kitty Smith has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities as acting administrator, associate administrator and in other key management positions at ERS," said Johanns in announcing the selection. "I look forward to working with her as the agency administrator."

Smith recently served as acting administrator of ERS and has directed the agency's Market and Trade Economics Division and its Resource Economics Division.

Smith's experience at ERS totals 25 years. Smith will head the U.S. Department of Agriculture's agency that conducts research, analyzes food and commodity markets, produces policy studies and develops economic and statistical indicators to inform decisions about food, agriculture, natural resources and rural development.

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