APHIS Leadership
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.