Krysta Harden will take the role of CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, if Tom Vilsack, who currently serves as CEO, is confirmed as the Next Agriculture Secretary.
Harden served as Deputy Agriculture Secretary from 2013 to 2016, and is the current chief operating officer at the USDEC. Vilsack previously served as Agriculture Secretary during the entirety of the Obama administration.
Chair of the organization, Larry Hancock, stated in a news release, “Vilsack will continue to serve fully in his role as president and CEO of USDEC until he is confirmed as the secretary of Agriculture for the new administration.” Once Vilsack is confirmed as Agriculture Secretary, Harden will become CEO of USDEC.
Dairy Management Inc. CEO Tom Gallagher says, “We are extremely fortunate to have Secretary Vilsack’s dedication and commitment to dairy farmers over the past four years, and to have someone with Krysta’s background and experience in agriculture and with USDEC ready to step into a new role.”
