GIPSA Biographies
Brett Offutt
Acting Deputy
Administrator
Packers and Stockyards Program
Brett Offutt is the Acting Deputy Administrator of the Packers and Stockyards Program, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. In this position, Mr. Offutt is responsible for programs that ensure fair and competitive marketing for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries for the benefit of American Agriculture.
Programs under the direction of the Acting Deputy Administrator include fostering fair and open competition, and guarding against deceptive and fraudulent practices affecting the movement and price of meat animals and their products. The Packers and Stockyards Program also protects consumers and members of the livestock, meat, and poultry industries from unfair business practices, which can unduly affect meat and poultry distribution and prices.
When named Acting Deputy Administrator in January 2013, Mr. Offutt temporarily stepped aside from his position as Director of GIPSA’s Policy and Litigation Division (PLD), a position he has held since 2004. As PLD Director, Mr. Offutt is responsible for enforcement activities and rulemaking under the Packers and Stockyards Act. Mr. Offutt has also held the positions of legal specialist and supervisory legal specialist with GIPSA in the Washington, DC Headquarters Office and the Midwestern Regional Office in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Offutt earned a Bachelor's degree from Kutztown University, a Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law and a Master of Laws degree in Agricultural and Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law.