Former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner was named the acting secretary of agriculture by President George W. Bush.
The appointment comes due to Secretary Mike Johanns”™ resignation to pursue a U.S. Senate seat next year in his native Nebraska.
Prior to his tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Conner served on the National Economic Council beginning in November 2001 as a special assistant to the president for agricultural trade and food assistance, focusing primarily on farm bill issues.
From 1997 to 2001, Conner was president of the Corn Refiners Association Inc., a national trade association.
Prior to his tenure with the Corn Refiners Association, Conner held several staff positions with the Senate committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry.
During a conference call with reporters last week, Conner discussed, among other things, the need for continued federal support for the food stamp program.
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