WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2009 -U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist Joseph Glauber today announced the selection of Dr. James Hrubovcak as USDA Deputy Chief Economist.

"James Hrubovcak is well-prepared for the demands of this post," said Glauber, "through years of demonstrated analysis and experience in agricultural economics at USDA"

As Deputy Chief Economist, Hrubovcak is responsible for assisting the Chief Economist in developing and maintaining a comprehensive system of analysis that integrates economic policy with complex domestic and foreign agricultural and rural issues arising within the Department. In addition to those duties, he will continue to monitor issues related to agricultural labor and immigration reform.

Hrubovcak started working for USDA in 1980 at the Economic Research Service where he conducted and led research efforts on various topics including agricultural policy, tax policy, the role of investment in agriculture, energy policy, including biofuels; agricultural sustainability; and natural resource policy, including the role of environmental and natural resource accounting. In 1999 he took a position with the Office of the Chief Economist as the senior economist in USDA's Global Change Program Office where he negotiated land use and land use change issues under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Hrubovcak also co-chaired the U.S. National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change on Agriculture. In 2004 he became USDA's Agricultural Affairs Coordinator where he was responsible for coordinating the Department's position in the area of immigration reform.

Dr. Hrubovcak received a Ph.D. in economics from the George Washington University in 1995 and Bachelor's and a Masters Degree's from Pennsylvania State University in 1978 and 1980, respectively.