Washington, DC
May 16, 2007
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) today announced the selection of Craig A.
Morris, Ph.D., as the new Deputy Administrator of AMS’ Livestock
and Seed Program.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Morris to head
the AMS Livestock and Seed Program,” said AMS Administrator
Lloyd Day. “His varied background and proven abilities in
various leadership positions make him an ideal choice for this
important post.”
The AMS Livestock and Seed Program is headquartered in
Washington, DC, and maintains offices throughout the United
States to serve the agricultural community and industry. The
major functions performed by the Livestock and Seed Program are:
meat grading and certification service; livestock, meat, and
grain market news service; voluntary, user-fee, audit-based
programs that are available to suppliers of agricultural
products and services; and seed regulatory and testing
activities. The program also performs related services, such as
purchasing meat and fish for Federal feeding programs,
overseeing research and promotion programs, and developing
standards and purchase specifications for livestock and meat
products.
Morris has spent his entire professional career as part of the
meat and poultry industry. Prior to his appointment to this
position, since 2004, he served as the Deputy Administrator of
AMS Poultry Programs and, before that, its Associate Deputy
Administrator heading the Agency’s services for the chicken,
turkey, egg, and rabbit industries. Earlier work experience
included several positions with the AMS Livestock and Seed
Program in Washington, DC.
Apart from government service, Morris served as Assistant Vice
President of Food Safety for Future Beef Operations, LLC, in
Arkansas City, Kan., and as the Manager of Scientific and
Technical Affairs for the American Meat Institute in Washington,
DC.
Morris was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, and spent part of
his childhood growing up in suburban Dallas and Houston, Texas.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction in
Animal Science from Iowa State University and served as a
Regent’s Graduate Fellow while earning his Doctorate in Animal
Science from Texas A&M University. He and his wife have two sons
and reside in Fairfax Station, Virginia. |
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