APHIS Leadership

Dr. Gregory Parham is the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  Dr. Parham, who became APHIS Administrator in April 2011, carries out the agency’s broad mission of protecting and promoting American agriculture, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. On June 13, 2012, Secretary Vilsack designated Dr. Parham to act as USDA’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration.

Previously, Dr. Parham served as APHIS’ Associate Administrator from November 2009 until his appointment as Administrator.  In this role, he worked closely with program heads to provide leadership and direction in science while focusing special attention on international and trade activities.

Prior to his role as Associate Administrator, Dr. Parham spent two years as the Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs – Business Services.  In this capacity he was responsible for providing resource management and administrative services to support the objectives of APHIS, the Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration.  Dr. Parham joined APHIS in March 2006 as the agency Chief Information Officer and provided leadership related to the Agency’s information technology initiatives. 

Dr. Parham began his Federal career in 1980 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control.  He joined USDA in 1982 and has worked for several USDA agencies during his career; including the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Extension Service, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. 

Dr. Parham holds a masters degree from the Johns Hopkins University in administrative science and doctorate and bachelor degrees from the Ohio State University in veterinary medicine and microbiology.  Dr. Parham was a University of Maryland adjunct graduate faculty member and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

A native Ohioan, Dr. Parham resides with his family in Mitchellville, MD.


Kevin Shea was appointed Associate Administrator on September 9, 2004.  In this position, he works closely with Dr. Gregory Parham to ensure the smooth daily functioning of APHIS.  On June 13, 2012, Secretary Vilsack designated Mr. Shea to act as Administrator while Dr. Parham serves as Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration.  In addition to his regular duties, Mr. Shea serves on the Secretary’s Executive Resources Board and the Secretary’s Management Council.

Before becoming Associate Administrator, Mr. Shea served four years as Deputy Administrator for Policy and Program Development. From 1992 to 2000 he served as APHIS’ Director of Budget and Accounting.  Earlier in his career he worked as a budget analyst, Chief of the Program Analysis Branch, and Chief of the Policy Analysis and Development Staff. He also spent one year practicing law in the litigation department of Frank, Bernstein, Conaway and Goldman in Baltimore, MD.
Mr. Shea graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, MD and the University of Maryland in College Park.  He earned a law degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

A native Washingtonian, Mr. Shea now resides in Crofton, MD

William H. (Bill) Clay is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Wildlife Services (WS) program. In this position, he is responsible for overall planning, coordinating, and direction of the national WS operational and research programs. Before assuming the role of Deputy Administrator in August, 2000, Mr. Clay was the WS Associate Deputy Administrator for a period of 3 years, and was the WS director of the operational support staff for a period of 7 years. Prior to that, he served as the State Director for the WS program in North Dakota, and Assistant to the State Director for the Texas WS program.

Mr. Clay is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He obtained his B.S. degree in Wildlife Management from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, in December 1974 and is a certified wildlife biologist.

Dr. John R. Clifford is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Veterinary Services’ (VS) program. In this position, he provides leadership for safeguarding U.S. animal health.

Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator in May 2004, Dr. Clifford served as VS’ acting Deputy Administrator. He was the Associate Deputy Administrator National Animal Health and Policy program where he led VS’ efforts to protect, sustain, and improve productivity, marketability, and health of the nation’s animals, animal products, and biologics.

Dr. Clifford served as VS’ Assistant Deputy Administrator from 1997-2002. He also has extensive field experience. Since joining APHIS in 1985, Dr. Clifford has also served as the area veterinarian in charge in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana; the National Health Monitoring System coordinator in Ohio; and the brucellosis epidemiologist and veterinary medical officer in Kentucky.

Before beginning his work with APHIS, Dr. Clifford was a private veterinarian in a mixed practice. He received his DVM and BS degrees in animal science from the University of Missouri.

A native of Kentucky, Dr. Clifford currently resides in Virginia with his wife, Sara.

Dr. Chester A. Gipson was appointed Acting Deputy Administrator in November 2001, and then Deputy Administrator, of Animal Care (AC) in May 2002. He and his staff (which includes headquarters personnel in Riverdale, Maryland, regional personnel in Raleigh, North Carolina, and regional personnel in Fort Collins, Colorado) are responsible for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection Act (HPA).

Dr. Gipson has worked for APHIS for more than 20 years. His first job was as a Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) on the Sheep, Goat, Equine, Ectoparasite, and Miscellaneous Disease staff within Veterinary Services (VS). After that, he served as a VMO with Policy and Program Development, where he and other staff and line officials developed broad policies and veterinary medical programs for VS. After serving a year as Assistant Director of VS’ Southeastern Regional Office, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, he served as Director of that program, until he became the Director of VS’ Animal Health Programs in Riverdale, Maryland, and, later, the Associate Deputy Administrator of VS.

Dr. Gipson received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama; a Master’s of Agriculture (specializing in Physiology) from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida; and a Bachelor of Science (with a major in Animal Science and Biology) from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Rebecca Bech is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program.  In this position, she provides executive leadership and direction to a nationally dispersed staff responsible for safeguarding U.S. animal and plant resources from destructive pests and diseases.

Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator for PPQ in January 2008, Ms. Bech served as the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Biotechnology and Regulatory Services (BRS) program since April 2007.  In this role, Ms. Bech provided leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of genetically engineered organisms.  Ms. Bech also served as BRS’ Associate Deputy Administrator for Emerging and International Programs from April 2005 through April 2007.  In this position, she provided leadership in policy and program implementation for emerging plant and animal biotechnology issues.  In addition, she represented the program on international issues. 

Throughout her time at APHIS, Ms. Bech has gained diverse experience by supporting several different programs.  Ms. Bech joined APHIS in 1986 as a PPQ officer.  While with PPQ, she served as a plant pathology identifier in the field, provided new officer training at the APHIS Professional Development Center, and served as the first branch chief for the National Identification Services.  Ms. Bech later became the Director for PPQ’s Scientific Services.  Ms. Bech has also worked in Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services, where she acted as the USDA Liaison for Invasive Species. 

Ms. Bech obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science from Southeastern Louisiana University and her Master’s from Western Maryland College.

Bethany Jones is the Deputy Administrator of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In this position, she provides leadership and guidance to effectively communicate APHIS policy developments and program accomplishments. Ms. Jones is responsible for the overall planning and direction of LPA activities, which include media and industry outreach, legislative analysis, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requests, production of informational materials, and response to media, congressional, intergovernmental, and citizen inquiries about APHIS programs.

Ms. Jones began her career with APHIS in 1990, after graduating from Randolph Macon Woman’s College with a bachelor of arts degree in English. She accepted a position as a writer/editor with LPA’s Executive Communications program and has been with LPA ever since. Ms. Jones spent 11 years in LPA’s Public Affairs office where she served in various positions including editor of the Agency’s newsletter, outreach campaign coordinator, international trade public affairs specialist and Deputy Director of Public Affairs. In 2000, she was named Director of Public Affairs with responsibility for managing the Agency’s media, outreach, publications, web, and audio visual functions. In 2003, Ms. Jones was selected as Associate Deputy Administrator for LPA and then in 2007 as Deputy Administrator.

Michael Gregoire is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program.  In this position, he provides leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of genetically engineered organisms.  

Prior to becoming Deputy Administrator for BRS in January 2008, Mr. Gregoire served as Deputy Administrator for Policy and Program Development.  In this role, he provided leadership and guidance in the overall planning and formulation of USDA policies, programs, and activities.  Mr. Gregoire was also responsible for the Agency’s budget, regulation development, and environmental compliance programs.

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Mr. Gregoire worked for 2 years as a Social Welfare Examiner with the Erie County Department of Social Services in Buffalo, New York.  He began his Federal career as a Budget Analyst with APHIS in 1978 and served in progressively responsible roles as an analyst and manager.  From 1978 until 1992, Mr. Gregoire worked in the APHIS Budget and Accounting Division and served as the Agency’s Budget Officer for several years.  From 1992 until 1995, Mr. Gregoire was the Chief of Staff to the APHIS Administrator.  In 1995, he assumed a leadership position in the Agency’s information technology organization and was named APHIS Chief Information Officer in 1996.

Mr. Gregoire received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Niagara University in 1976 and a Masters Degree in public administration from George Washington University in 1983.

Mr. Gregoire is a native of Buffalo, New York. He is married and has three children.

Beverly Simmons is the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' International Services (IS)
Beverly Simmons is the Deputy Administrator for International Services (IS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In leading a 300-person staff domestically and overseas, she directs cooperative efforts with foreign governments to prevent the introduction of high-risk pests and diseases into the United States. She is also responsible for protecting and expanding overseas markets for U.S. agricultural goods, supporting rural incomes and jobs. Simmons broadens APHIS’ safeguarding system by leading work in developing regions to improve their capacity to detect -- and respond -- to emerging pests and disease threats.

Previously in APHIS, Simmons served as the Associate Deputy Administrator for Emerging and International Programs of Biotechnology Regulatory Services. In that role, she was responsible for developing new programs and initiatives to meet the evolving nature of APHIS’ biotechnology regulatory framework, and for advancing its international objectives.

Before joining APHIS, she was the Assistant Deputy Administrator of the Office of Scientific and Technical Affairs of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. In that role, Simmons led the Agency’s efforts to develop strategic and tactical approaches to address technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade. As director of the biotechnology group, she coordinated program and policy development for agricultural biotechnology trade-related issues. Other positions within FAS include Assistant Deputy Administrator for International Trade Policy and Assistant to the Deputy Administrator for Commodity and Marketing Programs. Simmons has also served as Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London. Simmons earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in business/marketing and agricultural and resource economics from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Christine Zakarka is the Deputy Administrator of Policy and Program Development (PPD) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  She provides leadership for the overall planning and directions of policies, programs and activities at APHIS.  She is also responsible for the Agency’s budget, regulation development and environmental compliance programs.

Prior to her recent appointment, Ms. Zakarka served since 2001 as Chief of PPD’s Planning, Evaluation, and Monitoring staff.  In that role, she was responsible for developing the Agency’s strategic and operational plans, evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of APHIS programs, and analyzing and improving business processes.  Ms. Zakarka has also held numerous other positions in APHIS, including as a Manager of Information Technology Planning and as an Employee Development Specialist. She has served on several temporary managerial details, including Acting Director for the Agency’s Conflict Prevention and Management Program, Acting Director of the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, and most recently, Acting Assistant Human Resources Director. 

Ms. Zakarka obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Fordham University and her Masters degree from University of Maryland University College.

Marilyn L. Holland is the Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services (MRPBS).  In this capacity, she is responsible for providing human resource management, financial management and administrative services to support the objectives of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.  Ms. Holland also provides a variety of support services to APHIS, including information technology management, emergency management and investigative services.  

Ms. Holland led APHIS' Modernization Project Management Office from 2011-2012.  Prior to that assignment, she was APHIS' Chief Information Officer from 2008 through 2011.  Ms. Holland came to APHIS in 2006 as the Deputy Chief Information Officer.   She has also worked in the area of IT Management at USDA's Office of the Chief Information Officer and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation SErvice (now Farm Service Agency).  She began her career at USDA as a financial analyst in the Farmers Home Administration (now Rural Development).

Ms. Holland holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Masters in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Kenneth E. Johnson (Ken) is the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion (OCRDI) of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHIS). He is responsible for providing leadership, direction, coordination, evaluation and support to the APHIS: Formal and Informal Complaint Programs; Cultural Transformation and Diversity and Inclusion Programs; Tribal Consultation and Outreach Programs; Civil Rights Compliance Program; and Minority Outreach and Special Emphasis Programs.

During his 37-year Federal Career, Ken spent 10 years with the Agricultural Marketing Service, 2-years with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, and 25 years with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He has held positions such as Special Programs Consultant to the Administrator; Acting Director, USDA Center for Minority Farmers; Director Emergency Planning and Response Division; Director of the Riverdale/Washington Business Site; Director Resource Management, Wildlife Services; Branch Chief, Procurement Policy and Safety Management; Budget Analyst; Administrative Officer; and Agricultural Marketing Specialist.

In addition to his Federal service, Ken served 9 years as an elected member of the Prince George's County Maryland Board of Education. During his tenure on the Board, Ken's colleagues elected him Chairman of the Board three times.

Ken received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1976 from South Carolina State University. He resides in Mitchellville, MD, with his wife, daughters, son-in-law, and granddaughters.

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