Michener to Foreign Agricultural Service head

Michener to Foreign Agricultural Service head U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed Michael Michener to administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.
   Michener served in three U.S. foreign affairs agencies during the past decade. He spent considerable time overseas promoting post-war stability operations, economic development and human rights. He most recently served as senior democracy and governance advisor and lead planning officer for the State Department's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.
   At FAS, Michener will oversee the agency's international activities, including market development, international trade agreements and negotiations, and collection and analysis of market information. FAS also administers the USDA's export credit guarantee and international food aid programs, and helps expand income and food availability in developing countries.