Acting Administrator for the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration
Alan Christian was appointed Acting Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration on January 20, 2012 and continues to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Packers and Stockyards Program. As Acting Administrator, Christian oversees programs to facilitate the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and to promote fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA's programs directly and significantly impact two key sectors of American agriculture - the livestock and grain markets. The markets serviced by GIPSA represent a total economic value of approximately $170 billion annually with exports contributing over $28.7 billion to the U.S. economy.
Before joining GIPSA in May 2006, Christian spent 6 years as the Director of Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to animal and plant health, and import and export of agricultural commodities and biotechnology. Before becoming director, Christian held the positions of Deputy Director and Regional Director in IES. He began his career with APHIS, Veterinary Services as an Animal Health Technician under the Brucellosis Eradication Program.
Christian earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and a Master's degree from Worcester State College in the biological sciences.
