Pearlie Reed Sworn-In as USDA Assistant Secretary for Administration

Former NRCS Chief Pearlie Reed was sworn-in this week in Washington D.C. as USDA Assistant Secretary for Administration by Secretary Vilsack.  Pearlie Reed retired from NRCS in 2002 as a 32-year USDA conservation professional who has held positions with NRCS and the Department, including acting assistant secretary for administration where he provided leadership to more than 300 employees on the Civil Rights Action Team.  Pearlie Reed previously held a variety of positions with NRCS at its local, State, and Federal levels.  He served as Associate Chief under previous NRCS Chief Paul Johnson and as State Conservationist in California and Maryland.  In 1996, Reed received the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award -- the highest award that can be awarded to a career Senior Executive Service member.  That same year, he received two USDA Honor Awards, one as an individual and the other as a group leader for developing and implementing the most comprehensive reorganization in the agency's history.  He also received a USDA Honor Award in 1993 for his commitment and leadership in equal opportunity and civil rights.  Reed is a native of Heth, Arkansas.
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Fred Jacobs at 202-720-4772.