WASHINGTON, October 21, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Lanon Baccam has been named USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, overseeing the Risk Management and Farm Service agencies, following the departure of Karis Gutter. An Army and Iowa National Guard veteran, Baccam was also named USDA’s Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

"Throughout his career in military and public service, Lanon has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding opportunity in rural communities,” Vilsack said in a news release. Lanon brings to his new position strong management skills and a deep knowledge of USDA programs, policies and priorities. His leadership skills will be invaluable to USDA and rural communities across the nation.”

A native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Baccam previously served as the director of scheduling and advance in the Office of the Secretary at USDA. Before that he was a special assistant in the Foreign Agricultural Service and as executive assistant to the Secretary. Prior to joining USDA, Baccam worked in the Iowa state government and for several state and national political campaigns.

Baccam also spent eight years in the Army and Iowa National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004-2005.

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