Statement by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Regarding Senate Confirmation of Three USDA Officials

STATEMENT BY AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE JOHANNS REGARDING SENATE CONFIRMATION OF THREE USDA OFFICIALS

"Today, I extend my appreciation to the U.S. Senate for confirming the nominations of three very important positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I congratulate and look forward to welcoming to our leadership team Bruce Knight, as under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Nancy Montanez Johner as under secretary for Food and Nutrition Consumer Services and Margo McKay as assistant secretary for Civil Rights.

"These new members of my subcabinet will greatly contribute to fulfilling USDA's mission of service to our citizens. They have demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities throughout their careers in both public and private service. Bruce Knight has been a visionary leader of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nancy Montanez Johner has been tireless in her efforts on behalf of Nebraskans and Margo McKay is strong advocate for dignity and equality. I look forward to working with this team in delivering the programs and services that are the hallmark of USDA's commitment to our employees and the people we serve."

Bruce Knight will serve as under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. He will also serve on the board of directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Knight has served as the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at USDA since 2002. Prior to this, he served as the vice president of government relations at the National Corn Growers Association. Earlier in his career, he worked as a legislative assistant for former United States Senators Bob Dole (R-KS) and James Abdnor (R-SD) and former United States Representative Fred Grandy (R-IA).

Nancy Montanez Johner will serve as under secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. She will also serve on the board of directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Ms. Montanez Johner currently serves as director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to this, she was the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Chief Executive Officer for the Western Service Area. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Professional Partner Program at Region III Behavioral Health Services. Ms. Montanez Johner received her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Margo M. McKay will serve as assistant secretary for Civil Rights. McKay most recently served as associate general counsel for Fannie Mae. Earlier in her career, she served as chief administrative judge for the Temporary Panel of the Office of Employee Appeals for the District of Columbia. She also served as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. Ms. McKay received her bachelor's degree from Fisk University and her J.D. from Georgetown University.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/6/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2006%2F08%2F0279.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_RELEASE#7_2_5JM