President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate Perlie S. Reed as assistant secretary for administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Reed will serve with Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“It’s a real pleasure to welcome Perlie Reed back to USDA — where he had a remarkable career that began in 1968 and extended into the 21st century,” Vilsack said. “He will bring unique ability and experience to the position of assistant secretary for administration — a position he held in an acting capacity a little over 10 years ago.”
Reed is currently a consultant in the fields of agriculture, conservation, economic development and management. He worked with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and its predecessor agency the Soil Conservation Service.
He served in four states and headquarters during his career. He was state conservationist in Maryland and California, responsible for leading comprehensive soil, water, and resource conservation and development programs in those states.
Reed, who began his career with USDA as a student trainee, was named chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1998 and served in that capacity until 2002.
Following that, he was named regional conservationist for the western region of the United States.
He has received numerous honors during his USDA career including the Professional Service Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts and the Presidential Rank Award — the highest award that can be given to a career government official.
He is a native of Heth, Ark. Reed graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and received a master of public administration degree from American University, Washington, D.C.