Conner Makes Job Switch to No. 2 USDA Post

White House agriculture adviser Charles "Chuck" Conner has been named by the President to be the new Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Conner's name was tossed around as a potential agriculture secretary nominee.

The Indiana native is currently the White House Special Assistant for International Trade and Food Assistance. In this role, Conner has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Congress and the farming and ranching communities in the development of the President's agricultural policy.

He was the administration's chief negotiator on the farm bill. In addition, Conner served as the president of the Corn Refiners Association from 1997 to 2001. Previously, he served as the majority staff director of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry from 1995 to 1997.

"Chuck has done an outstanding job in his role as an advisor to the President," says National Pork Producers Council President Don Buhl, a pork producer from Tyler, Minn. "Chuck Conner grew up in Indiana with an understanding of agriculture and has played a key role on critical issues impacting U.S. pork producers. This is an excellent opportunity for Conner to provide a valuable service to the agricultural community and to the country. We couldn't be more pleased with the quality of this appointment."