APHIS Administrator Announces Dr. Jack Shere as Acting Chief Veterinary Officer and Veterinary Services Deputy Administrator

Dear Stakeholders:

 

Today, I am announcing Dr. Jack Shere as acting USDA Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services. Acting in these roles, Dr. Shere will lead the program’s many employees in protecting and improving the health, quality, and marketability of U.S. agricultural animals, animal products, and veterinary biologics. He will also oversee VS’ national and international reference laboratory network.

 

Dr. Shere is replacing Dr. John Clifford, who is now the Chief Trade Advisor for VS’ National Import Export Services, after 12 years as VS’ Deputy Administrator.  

 

Dr. Shere joined VS in 1990 as a field veterinary medical officer in Nebraska and Wisconsin and has held many leadership positions since then, including Associate Western Regional Director from 2002 to 2005 and Eastern Regional Director from 2005 to 2013. More recently, Dr. Shere served as VS’ Associate Deputy Administrator since 2013.    

 

Beyond the domestic program disease work that is a large part of VS’ mission, Dr. Shere has extensive experience with animal disease outbreaks, including salmonella enteritidis, foot-and-mouth disease in England, low pathogenic avian influenza, Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), and highly pathogenic avian influenza. During the extensive 2002-2003 END outbreak in California, Texas, New Mexico, and Utah, Dr. Shere served as the Joint Area Commander and Incident Commander, leading a massive federal and state eradication effort for nine months until the disease was eradicated from the United States.

 

Dr. Shere received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry in 1981, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, and a Master of Science in Education with a minor in Counseling in 1988 – all from Iowa State University. He received PhD’s in Poultry Science and Microbiology in 2001 from the University of Wisconsin. He also practiced veterinary clinical medicine for 3 years in Georgia,

Dr. Shere brings a wealth of veterinary knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience to the VS Deputy position. I am confident that these skills, coupled with his management expertise, will position VS well to not only defend against the many foreign pests and diseases that regularly threaten the United States but to continue our diligent efforts to maintain and open new markets.  I also know he intends to focus on and strengthen our domestic programs to further enhance the health and vitality of U.S. livestock.

Kevin Shea

APHIS Administrator