In This Issue
Laboratory Services & Export Service Center
Administrative Services Division
Measurement Standards Division
Agricultural Development & Marketing Division
Animal Health & Identification Division
NOTE: This information current as of the date of publication. For the latest Ag Quarterly newsletters and reports visit the AQ index page.
Administration Office
Mission
The mission statement is reflected in the organization of our department. We have three assistant directors that oversee divisions grouped into the three mission areas, and two special assistants who report to the director, along with the Information Office which serves to inform the public about the industry and department activities.
Lorna Youngs, acting director, oversees all promotional, natural resource, and regulatory programs. She works with the governor, as well as agricultural and consumer groups, to carry out the state's agricultural policy. She also serves as assistant director providing oversight management to the department's natural resources, plant, and pesticides areas. Lorna joined the department in 1984 as an entomologist in the Plant Division where she helped pioneer the use of B.t. to control the gypsy moth. She has a bachelor's degree in international development from the University of California at Davis, and a Ph.D. in entomology from OSU.
Chuck Craig, Assistant Director, manages the department's food safety and consumer protection programs. He oversees the Food Safety, Animal Health and Identification, Measurement Standards, and Laboratory Services Divisions. He also serves as the department's legislative liaison. He joined the department in 1988 as manager of the field burning program. He was named assistant Administrator of the Natural Resources Division in 1990, and Administrator in 1996. He developed a number of the department's natural resources programs including the water quality, confined animal feeding operations and the field burning programs before being promoted to Assistant Director in 1997.
Jeff Jones, assistant director, has responsibility for the Portland marketing offices and oversees the commodity inspection program. Jones joined the department in 1996 after spending four years in Tokyo as agriculture attache and Deputy Director of the US Agricultural Trade Office in Tokyo, Japan. He has both bachelor's and master's degrees in Agricultural Economics from Brigham Young University.
Christine Pascal serves as Director of the Oregon Wine Advisory Board (OWAB). Serving as the state's wine commission, OWAB was founded in 1983 to facilitate the rapidly developing industry by coordinating research, marketing, and promotion of the state's wines. OWAB assists in coordinating enological and viticultural research and experimentation to maximize quality and production of Oregon winegrowers. In addition, the Board maintains more than 20 promotional programs focused on creating a favorable marketing climate for Oregon wines, and also provides major funding to marketing coalitions and regional groups within the state.
Brent Searle, special assistant to the director, serves as the coordinator of the department's farm mediation program. The program is designed to assist agricultural producers resolve disputes related to labor problems, nuisance complaints, contract issues, and other private-party concerns related to agriculture or natural resources. He also serves as the department research analyst, conducting studies, developing reports, and doing policy analysis for the director's office.
John Mellott, special assistant to the director, serves as the liaison to the 45 Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He coordinates training for district directors and staff, provides oversight of funding, contracting, personnel issues and project evaluation. He also serves as the director's designee on the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board, Ocean Policy Advisory Council, Governor's Hazard Mitigation Team, Coordinated Resource Management Planning Task Group, and as the director's point person for natural disaster assistance to farmers.
Lois Shafer, executive assistant, serves as Secretary to the State Board of Agriculture; rules coordinator for the department; and as assistant to Chuck Craig for legislative bill tracking during legislative session.
Kathy Harris, assistant to the director, serves as office manager for the Director's office. She provides confidential executive assistance to the director and assistant directors. She also serves on committees and coordinates special projects as requested.
The Information Office
The Information Office provides support and assistance to ODA administration and divisions through media relations, publications, and special projects. The three-person office serves as a resource of information to the public and the media. The Information Office works with administration and divisions in telling the public about ODA programs and accomplishments as well as helping to manage complex public issues. Products include news releases, the Story of the Week, the Agriculture Quarterly, and a variety of other publications. The Information Office also serves as the first point of contact for many of ODA's customers who seek assistance either by telephone or in-person.
Bruce Pokarney is Director of Communications and manages the Information Office. He also serves as department spokesperson and has the primary responsibility of working with news media. Bruce writes news releases and feature stories about the industry and the department while also handling special projects for ODA. Prior to joining the department in 1991, Bruce spent 14 years in broadcast news in Portland and has a bachelor's degree in communications from Washington State University.
Katherine Kennedy serves in the Information Office as the publications coordinator. Her responsibilities include the design and preparation of written publications and interactive presentations to support the programs of the department. Katherine has a background in multimedia and graphic design.
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