John Sharpe Selected as Director of Compliance Division

FROM THE DESK OF David R. Shipman

I am pleased to announce that John Sharpe has been selected as the new Director of the Compliance Division, effective July 11, 2004. John brings to the position a lifetime of agricultural experience, and valuable skills and expertise gained during his diverse and highly accomplished professional career.

John grew up in Florida agriculture. He attended the University of Florida where he earned his degree in Food Economics and Animal Science. During his career, he has managed a corporate sugar cane farm, gained valuable insight into State government operations as an employee of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and made significant contributions to various USDA programs and agencies.

While working for GIPSA in Washington, DC, John acquired valuable experience as a staff member of the Compliance and Field Management Divisions. Most recently, he has been a key member of the management team as Chief of the Data and Information Analysis Branch. His leadership and technical capabilities have been valuable assets as the Agency addressed numerous challenges presented by changes in government and agriculture. He led the effort to reinvent our national quality control program and developed the new Process Verification Program designed to meet the evolving needs of agriculture.

John also brings to the Compliance Division the essential qualities of personal and professional integrity. He is committed to fairness and equity, and consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to doing the right things for the right reasons.

Please join me in welcoming John to his new position.

David R. Shipman
Deputy Administrator
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Room 1094-S
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-3601
Phone: 202-720-9171
Fax: 202-205-9237
david.r.shipman@usda.gov