APHIS names new associate director

WASHINGTON — The Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) appointed Cindy Smith as its new associate administrator.

With APHIS since 1979, Smith has held positions in plant protection and quarantine, wildlife services and most recently as deputy administrator of biotechnology regulatory services, where her goal was establishing more rigorous requirements for field tests of genetically engineered crops and initiating efforts to review and strengthen the agency's biotechnology regulations.

In her new role, Smith will assist in managing APHIS' plant protection and quarantine, animal care, biotechnology regulation, veterinary medicine and wildlife programs.

She succeeds Nick Gutierrez, a member of the Foreign Services, who will be APHIS' new regional director in Mexico City.

"I am very pleased that Cindy has accepted this position. Her career at APHIS spans more than 28 years and her commitment to public service, vast knowledge of agency activities and dedication to protecting American agriculture make her a natural choice for this leadership role," says Ron DeHaven, DVM and APHIS administrator.