Annabelle Romero,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of Annabelle Romero as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights on August 26, 2005. As deputy assistant secretary, Ms. Romero serves as the principal advisor to Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Margo M. McKay on policy and coordinating the program activities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. She will also serve as liaison to the seven USDA mission areas.

Since 2003, Ms. Romero served as USDA's Director of Native American Programs, leading the ongoing consultations with Tribal Nations to ensure USDA's wide range of programs are available to American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country.

Ms. Romero began her tenure at USDA in April of 2002 as Special Assistant to former Assistant Secretary for Administration Lou Gallegos. In this position she worked closely with minority groups.

Prior to coming to USDA, Ms. Romero served in the Executive Office of the President, where she managed the staffing needs of the White House Office, Office of the Vice President, and Office of Policy Development.

Ms. Romero has a record of strong management skills, with more than 20 years in the public and private sectors, including staff positions with Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, and Congressman Tom Campbell of California.

Ms. Romero is a native of Belen, New Mexico but now resides in Churchton, Maryland with her husband Stuart Earley.