The retirement of Ken Vorgert on September 2, 2016 created a vacancy in the USDA representative position on the NCIMS Executive Board.  Per Section 5, Subd.3, of the NCIMS Constitution, the USDA member of the Board is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.   In appointing William G. Francis to the Board, Elanor Starmer, USDA, noted that “Mr. Francis is no stranger to the Conference having previously served on the Board representing the State of New York from 2005 until 2009.  Since 2009 Mr. Francis has been employed by the USDA and he became acting Director of the Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, Grading and Standardization Division in May 2016.”

In notifying the Board, Chair Beam stated “Will is of course very familiar with the Conference having been highly involved with its activities in the past as a representative of the state of New York, including service on the NCIMS Executive Board.  It will be great having Will back again in his new role representing the USDA. “