WASHINGTON, D.C. (NAFB) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday named Daniel Whitley as Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service.

Whitley most recently served as Acting Administrator for the USDA branch. Prior to that role, he was the Associate Administrator responsible for leading the agency’s trade policy and market analysis teams. Whitley began his career with the Economic Research Service, working on market access issues in the World Trade Organization.

Dr. Basil Gooden was named Director of State Operations for Rural Development. Gooden recently served as a Visiting Scholar in the Sustainable Food Access Core of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University.

USDA also announced Michael Amato as communications director in the Office of Communications and Marissa Perry as a speechwriter in the Office of Communications.

Secretary Vilsack says of the staff additions, “Each is an essential member of our growing team and we are grateful to have them serving in these roles.”