APHIS chief names new senior-level associate administrator

Michael Watson, who became an associate administrator in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, was promoted from a deputy position in which he was overseeing Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services.    Michael Watson on Thursday became an associate administrator in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), agency administrator Kevin Shea said in an email to stakeholders.
   Watson will work in “close coordination” with Mike Gregoire, who is also an associate administrator, to perform APHIS’ “day-to-day operations,” Shea said. In addition, Watson will work with “stakeholders and employees,” and oversee activities of every APHIS “program area and support unit,” Shea added.
   Watson has worked for APHIS since 2003, where he served in the agency’s Biotechnology Regulatory Services division until 2010, before moving to the Plant Protection and Quarantine division.
   For the past six months, Watson was Associate Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services, a position expected to be filled by APHIS Associate Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services Mark Davidson.