Tom Vilsack was Iowa’s governor from 1999 to 2007. He then served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for eight years in the Obama administration.
Vilsack is currently president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, a nonprofit representing the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers. Vilsack oversees the council’s global promotional and research activities, regulatory affairs and trade policy initiatives.
As the agriculture secretary, Vilsack not only worked to strengthen rural U.S. communities and ensure a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply, but to expand markets abroad. He has been honored for his public service and work to advance American agriculture by the Congressional Hunger Center, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union.