APHIS Leadership
Cindy Smith is the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Ms. Smith carries out the agency’s broad mission of protecting and promoting American agriculture, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities.
Ms. Smith began her career with APHIS in 1979 shortly after graduating high school. Throughout her years in APHIS, Ms. Smith has gained diverse experience by supporting a number of different programs, including plant protection and quarantine, wildlife services (WS) and biotechnology regulatory services (BRS).
In April 2007, Ms. Smith was appointed as the Associate Administrator of APHIS.
Prior to that, Ms. Smith served as the deputy administrator for BRS and played a major role in shaping the agency’s biotechnology regulatory structure, establishing more rigorous requirements for field tests of genetically engineered crops and initiating efforts to review and strengthen the agency’s overarching biotechnology regulations. From 2001 to 2002, Ms. Smith was the associate deputy administrator for WS, which provides federal leadership and expertise to resolve conflicts caused by wildlife.
While working her way through APHIS, Ms. Smith completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from the University of Maryland in 1983 as well as a Masters Degree in Management from the University of Maryland in 2000.
A native Marylander, Ms. Smith resides with her family in Woodstock, MD. She and her husband Alan are very proud of their six children and three grandchildren.
Kevin Shea was appointed Associate Administrator on Sept. 9, 2004. In this position, he works closely with Cindy Smith as the Chief Operating Officer for the Agency, ensuring the smooth day-to-day functioning of APHIS.
Previously, Mr. Shea spent four years as the head of APHIS' Policy and Program Development (PPD) staff. Before becoming the director of PPD, Mr. Shea served as Director of APHIS' Budget and Accounting Division for 8 years, following a short period of service as PPD's Assistant Director and a year of practicing law in the litigation department of the Baltimore law firm of Frank, Bernstein, Conaway, and Goldman. Mr. Shea worked for APHIS from 1978 to 1988 as a budget analyst, section head, and chief of the Program Analysis Branch for the Budget and Accounting Division. From 1988 to 1991 he served as the Chief of Policy Analysis and Development Staff of PPD.
Mr. Shea graduated from DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, MD, and the University of Maryland at College Park. He earned a juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. While in law school, he was a teaching assistant and member of the Law Review Editorial Board. He received six American Jurisprudence Awards for excellence in specific courses and graduated summa cum laude. He is a member of the Huiesler Honor Society and is licensed to practice law by the Court of Appeals of Maryland and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
A native Washingtonian, Mr. Shea resides in Adelphi, MD. He served his community as member of the St. Mark’s School Board; Vice-President and President of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; President of the University Hills Civic Association; and a member of the Prince George's County Executive's Committee for the Future.
William H. (Bill) Clay is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Wildlife Services (WS) program. In this position, he is responsible for overall planning, coordinating, and direction of the national WS operational and research programs. Before assuming the role of Deputy Administrator in August, 2000, Mr. Clay was the WS Associate Deputy Administrator for a period of 3 years, and was the WS director of the operational support staff for a period of 7 years. Prior to that, he served as the State Director for the WS program in North Dakota, and Assistant to the State Director for the Texas WS program.
Mr. Clay is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He obtained his B.S. degree in Wildlife Management from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, in December 1974 and is a certified wildlife biologist.
Dr. John R. Clifford is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Veterinary Services’ (VS) program. In this position, he provides leadership for safeguarding U.S. animal health.
Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator in May 2004, Dr. Clifford served as VS’ acting Deputy Administrator. He was the Associate Deputy Administrator National Animal Health and Policy program where he led VS’ efforts to protect, sustain, and improve productivity, marketability, and health of the nation’s animals, animal products, and biologics.
Dr. Clifford served as VS’ Assistant Deputy Administrator from 1997-2002. He also has extensive field experience. Since joining APHIS in 1985, Dr. Clifford has also served as the area veterinarian in charge in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana; the National Health Monitoring System coordinator in Ohio; and the brucellosis epidemiologist and veterinary medical officer in Kentucky.
Before beginning his work with APHIS, Dr. Clifford was a private veterinarian in a mixed practice. He received his DVM and BS degrees in animal science from the University of Missouri.
A native of Kentucky, Dr. Clifford currently resides in Virginia with his wife, Sara.
Dr. Chester A. Gipson was appointed Acting Deputy Administrator in November 2001, and then Deputy Administrator, of Animal Care (AC) in May 2002. He and his staff (which includes headquarters personnel in Riverdale, Maryland, regional personnel in Raleigh, North Carolina, and regional personnel in Fort Collins, Colorado) are responsible for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection Act (HPA).
Dr. Gipson has worked for APHIS for more than 20 years. His first job was as a Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) on the Sheep, Goat, Equine, Ectoparasite, and Miscellaneous Disease staff within Veterinary Services (VS). After that, he served as a VMO with Policy and Program Development, where he and other staff and line officials developed broad policies and veterinary medical programs for VS. After serving a year as Assistant Director of VS’ Southeastern Regional Office, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, he served as Director of that program, until he became the Director of VS’ Animal Health Programs in Riverdale, Maryland, and, later, the Associate Deputy Administrator of VS.
Dr. Gipson received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama; a Master’s of Agriculture (specializing in Physiology) from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida; and a Bachelor of Science (with a major in Animal Science and Biology) from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Rebecca Bech is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. In this position, she provides executive leadership and direction to a nationally dispersed staff responsible for safeguarding U.S. animal and plant resources from destructive pests and diseases.
Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator for PPQ in January 2008, Ms. Bech served as the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Biotechnology and Regulatory Services (BRS) program since April 2007. In this role, Ms. Bech provided leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of genetically engineered organisms. Ms. Bech also served as BRS’ Associate Deputy Administrator for Emerging and International Programs from April 2005 through April 2007. In this position, she provided leadership in policy and program implementation for emerging plant and animal biotechnology issues. In addition, she represented the program on international issues.
Throughout her time at APHIS, Ms. Bech has gained diverse experience by supporting several different programs. Ms. Bech joined APHIS in 1986 as a PPQ officer. While with PPQ, she served as a plant pathology identifier in the field, provided new officer training at the APHIS Professional Development Center, and served as the first branch chief for the National Identification Services. Ms. Bech later became the Director for PPQ’s Scientific Services. Ms. Bech has also worked in Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services, where she acted as the USDA Liaison for Invasive Species.
Ms. Bech obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science from Southeastern Louisiana University and her Master’s from Western Maryland College.
Dr. Gregory Parham became the Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs – Business Services (MRPBS), in January of 2008. In this capacity he is responsible for providing resource management and administrative services to support the objectives of APHIS, the Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration. These three Agencies collectively form the Marketing and Regulatory Programs’ mission area of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Dr. Parham also provides a variety of support services to APHIS including, information technology management and investigative services.
Dr. Parham began his Federal career in 1980 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control. He joined USDA in 1982, working with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Extension Service and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. Prior to his recent appointment, Dr. Parham was APHIS’ Chief Information Officer and provided leadership related to the Agency’s information technology planning, design, application development, systems administration, telecommunications, security, and information management and customer support services. Dr. Parham came to APHIS after serving in the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer where he led the unit that provided leadership for information technology initiatives including capital planning and investment control, enterprise architecture, information technology workforce planning, and project management.
Dr. Parham earned a master of administrative science degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1986 and prior to that completed a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1980 and a bachelor of science degree in microbiology, both from the Ohio State University. Dr. Parham has been a University of Maryland adjunct graduate faculty member and is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
Dr. Dan Sheesley was appointed Deputy Administrator for APHIS' International Services (IS) program in January 2005. IS provides internationally-based plant and animal health expertise that enhances APHIS' ability to safeguard U.S. agricultural and natural resources. IS also helps to foster science-based international trade and delivers specific disease and pest eradication and control programs.
Prior to his recent appointment, Dr. Sheesley served 4 years as minister counselor and regional director at the United States Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. He also directed APHIS' trade support team and served as Associate Deputy Administrator for IS. Dr. Sheesley has 17 years experience working for APHIS throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe. He joined the Foreign Service as a veterinary attaché based in Costa Rica after serving as a veterinary medical officer in Puerto Rico and Haiti during his first few years with APHIS.
Dr. Sheesley graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University following military service as a helicopter pilot, which included a distinguished tour in Vietnam.
Dr. Sheesley and his wife of 37 years are both natives of Colorado. They have two daughters, who live with their families in the Washington metropolitan area, and a son, who lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bethany Jones is the Deputy Administrator of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In this position, she provides leadership and guidance to effectively communicate APHIS policy developments and program accomplishments. Ms. Jones is responsible for the overall planning and direction of LPA activities, which include media and industry outreach, legislative analysis, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requests, production of informational materials, and response to media, congressional, intergovernmental, and citizen inquiries about APHIS programs.
Ms. Jones began her career with APHIS in 1990, after graduating from Randolph Macon Woman’s College with a bachelor of arts degree in English. She accepted a position as a writer/editor with LPA’s Executive Communications program and has been with LPA ever since. Ms. Jones spent 11 years in LPA’s Public Affairs office where she served in various positions including editor of the Agency’s newsletter, outreach campaign coordinator, international trade public affairs specialist and Deputy Director of Public Affairs. In 2000, she was named Director of Public Affairs with responsibility for managing the Agency’s media, outreach, publications, web, and audio visual functions. In 2003, Ms. Jones was selected as Associate Deputy Administrator for LPA and then in 2007 as Deputy Administrator.
Michael Gregoire is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program. In this position, he provides leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of genetically engineered organisms.
Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator for BRS in January 2008, Mr. Gregoire served as Deputy Administrator for Policy and Program Development. In this role, he provided leadership and guidance in the overall planning and formulation of USDA policies, programs, and activities. Mr. Gregoire was also responsible for the Agency’s budget, regulation development, and environmental compliance programs.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, Mr. Gregoire worked for 2 years as a Social Welfare Examiner with the Erie County Department of Social Services in Buffalo, New York. He began his Federal career as a Budget Analyst with APHIS in 1978 and served in progressively responsible roles as an analyst and manager. From 1978 until 1992, Mr. Gregoire worked in the APHIS Budget and Accounting Division and served as the Agency’s Budget Officer for several years. From 1992 until 1995, Mr. Gregoire was the Chief of Staff to the APHIS Administrator. In 1995, he assumed a leadership position in the Agency’s information technology organization and was named APHIS Chief Information Officer in 1996.
Mr. Gregoire received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Niagara University in 1976 and a Masters Degree in public administration from George Washington University in 1983.
Mr. Gregoire is a native of Buffalo, New York. He is married and has three children.
Christine Zakarka is the Deputy Administrator of Policy and Program Development (PPD) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). She provides leadership for the overall planning and directions of policies, programs and activities at APHIS. She is also responsible for the Agency’s budget, regulation development and environmental compliance programs.
Prior to her recent appointment, Ms. Zakarka served since 2001 as Chief of PPD’s Planning, Evaluation, and Monitoring staff. In that role, she was responsible for developing the Agency’s strategic and operational plans, evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of APHIS programs, and analyzing and improving business processes. Ms. Zakarka has also held numerous other positions in APHIS, including as a Manager of Information Technology Planning and as an Employee Development Specialist. She has served on several temporary managerial details, including Acting Director for the Agency’s Conflict Prevention and Management Program, Acting Director of the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, and most recently, Acting Assistant Human Resources Director.
Ms. Zakarka obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Fordham University and her Masters degree from University of Maryland University College.
Marilyn Holland is Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Information Technology Division for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Ms. Holland joined APHIS as its Deputy Chief Information Officer in 2006 and has served as Acting CIO since February 2008. Prior to joining APHIS, Ms. Holland was the Chief of the Program Planning and Management Division in the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer where she was responsible for Clinger-Cohen Act initiatives including information technology capital planning and investment control, enterprise architecture, IT workforce planning, and project management. While in the OCIO, Ms. Holland also served on temporary management details as the Associate Chief Information Officer for IT Management and the Chief of the Information Management Division. She served on a detail to the Office of Management and Budget in 2003 as a policy analyst responsible for the IT portfolios of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services.
Ms. Holland has also worked in the area of IT Management at USDA’s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (now Farm Service Agency) and in the area of budgeting and financial management at the USDA’s Farmers Home Administration (now Rural Development.)
Ms. Holland obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History and her Masters in Business Administration from Georgetown University and holds a project management certification (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. She received a Federal Computer Week Fed 100 Award in 2001 for her work in information technology management.