Charles F. Conner
Encyclopedia
Charles F. Conner is a former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
. He was sworn in on May 2, 2005, by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns
. After Johanns resigned on September 20, 2007, Conner was named acting secretary.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ie6Sjoie_5El2E5qMem83t7enNAA He served as Acting Secretary of Agriculture until President Bush's nominee, former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 28, 2008. He is the current president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, a position he has held since January 2009.
, Conner served on the National Economic Council
beginning in November 2001 as a Special Assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance, focusing primarily on Farm Bill
issues.
From 1997 to 2001, Conner was President of the Corn Refiners Association
, Inc., a national trade association representing the corn refining industry. From 1985 to 1997, Conner worked in various staff positions with the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
, including serving as both the Majority Staff Director (1995–1997) and the Minority Staff Director (1987–1995). Prior to joining the Committee, Conner worked as an Agricultural Legislative Assistant to Senator Richard Lugar.
, Indiana
, which remains in the family and is operated by his older brother, Mike. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University
in 1980. He is married and has four children: Katie, Ben, Andrew, and Emily.
United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is the second-highest ranking official in the United States Department of Agriculture, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Secretary becomes Acting Secretary of Agriculture in the event of the Secretary's...
. He was sworn in on May 2, 2005, by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns
Mike Johanns
Michael Owen "Mike" Johanns is an American Republican politician who has been the junior United States Senator from Nebraska since 2009. Previously he was the 38th Governor of Nebraska from 1999 to 2005 and was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 2005 to 2007, becoming the fourth Nebraskan to hold...
. After Johanns resigned on September 20, 2007, Conner was named acting secretary.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ie6Sjoie_5El2E5qMem83t7enNAA He served as Acting Secretary of Agriculture until President Bush's nominee, former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 28, 2008. He is the current president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, a position he has held since January 2009.
Career
Prior to his tenure at the U.S. Department of AgricultureUnited States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
, Conner served on the National Economic Council
National Economic Council
The National Economic Council of the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering economic policy matters, separate from matters relating to domestic policy, which are the domain of the Domestic Policy Council...
beginning in November 2001 as a Special Assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance, focusing primarily on Farm Bill
U.S. farm bill
In the United States, the farm bill is the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government. The comprehensive omnibus bill is passed every 5 years or so by the United States Congress and deals with both agriculture and all other affairs under the purview of the United States...
issues.
From 1997 to 2001, Conner was President of the Corn Refiners Association
Corn Refiners Association
The Corn Refiners Association is a trade association based in Washington, DC and representing the corn refining industry in the United States...
, Inc., a national trade association representing the corn refining industry. From 1985 to 1997, Conner worked in various staff positions with the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
The Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of all matters relating to the nation's agriculture industry, farming programs, forestry and logging, and legislation relating to nutrition and...
, including serving as both the Majority Staff Director (1995–1997) and the Minority Staff Director (1987–1995). Prior to joining the Committee, Conner worked as an Agricultural Legislative Assistant to Senator Richard Lugar.
Personal life
Conner grew up on a family farm in Benton CountyBenton County, Indiana
Benton County is located along in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Indiana, along the border with Illinois. As of 2010, the county's population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships which...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, which remains in the family and is operated by his older brother, Mike. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1980. He is married and has four children: Katie, Ben, Andrew, and Emily.