APHIS Leadership
Ron Hicks was appointed Deputy Administrator for APHIS' International Services (IS) program in October 2009. IS provides internationally-based plant and animal health expertise that enhances APHIS' ability to safeguard U.S. agricultural and natural resources. The IS workforce is strategically positioned in 32 countries worldwide, and is primarily focused on safeguarding US agricultural and natural resources, pest and disease eradication and control programs, fostering safe trade in agricultural commodities, and technical capacity building efforts.
Mr. Hicks most recently served as USDA’s acting deputy under secretary for Food Safety. Prior to that appointment, he was the Chief Operating Officer of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). In this position, he monitored the daily operations of the Agency with a focus on the design, operations and improvement of FSIS' management systems.
He also served as an Assistant Administrator for FSIS’ Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER), Acting Associate Administrator for FSIS as well as Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Management.
Mr. Hicks, a native of Washington, D.C., graduated from Anacostia High School in 1969. Thereafter he attended Catholic University of America on a basketball scholarship and captained the team in 1973. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and went on to earn his law degree from Catholic University, Columbia School of Law in 1976.