The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has announced Joseph L. Parsons as its new Administrator, effective June 16. This follows the retirement of Administrator Hubert Hamer in March.
Parsons, who previously served as Acting Administrator and Associate Administrator, has been with NASS for over 37 years, starting his federal service in 1985.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead the great and dedicated people at NASS as their Administrator,” said Parsons. “NASS is a wonderful place to work; our workplace flexibility has allowed us to recruit and retain some of the most talented staff in NASS’s history. Having a great work environment is something to cherish, value, and be intentional about. Going forward, we will continue to elevate ourselves and our services to meet the growing and changing needs of our stakeholders. We will remain resilient, nimble enough to roll with the shocks and opportunities that come our way. I am truly excited for the future of NASS and look forward to continuing to serve America’s producers.”
Throughout his career with NASS, Parsons has held several leadership roles, including Associate Administrator, where he oversaw agency operations and the agricultural statistics program. He also served as chair of USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board and director of NASS’s Methodology Division.
Joseph J. Prusacki, a NASS employee since 1984 and former director of NASS’s National Operations Division in St. Louis, MO, remains NASS’s acting Associate Administrator until the position is filled later this year.
For more information on Administrator Parsons and other leadership at NASS, visit NASS biographies.
