APHIS Adminstrator Acord Retires

May 2004 -- Bobby Acord, former administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), retired in mid March after serving almost two-and-a-half years in that position. Prior to his November 2001 administrator appointment, Acord served as APHIS' acting administrator for one year, as associate administrator for about a year and as deputy administrator for APHIS' Wildlife Services program for almost 10 years.

"We wish Bobby well and thank him for his many years of leadership and dedication on hard-hitting issues," said American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) President Guy Flora. "His participation in various animal health- and sheep-related meetings has served our industry well. We particularly want to relay our appreciation for his attendance at our annual conventions, where he visited with thousands of growers over the years, as did those officials who worked for him."

"Acord is one of the most recognizable officials of USDA among the sheep industry given his years of leadership and service to our producers via the Wildlife Service program," added ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick.

Among other distinctions, Acord received two Presidential Rank Awards for his contributions to resolving agricultural health problems for USDA. These prestigious awards recognize career government executives who have demonstrated exceptional performance over an extended period of time. Only 5 percent of Federal executives are eligible for the award in any given year.

At press time, a successor had not been named.

APHIS is responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities.

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