USDA chief economist Joe Glauber, whose job required him to translate dry data into the story of U.S. agriculture for policymakers, is leaving USDA to become visiting senior fellow at a Washington think tank. His deputy, Robert Johansson, “will assume the duties of chief economist beginning January 1,” said USDA. Glauber is shifting to International Food Policy Research Institute after 32 years with the federal government. He has been chief economist for nearly six years and was the deputy chief economist from 1992-2007.
“He is terrific,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I don’t think anyone has more credibility at USDA.” A civil servant, the USDA chief economist often has a highly public role in farm and food policy by providing authoritative analysis and forecasts. Early in his tenure as chief economist, Glauber also was the lead in U.S. agricultural negotiations in the Doha round of trade talks. Prior to becoming the deputy economist, Johansson worked at the Council of Economic Advisors as senior economist on energy, environment and agriculture.
“I don’t know of any other pending changes” among senior USDA officials, Vilsack told reporters, adding, “I like the job I’ve got.”
Johansson will inherit the task of naming a new chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook Board, which publishes a closely followed monthly report of crop output and usage worldwide. Its longtime chairman, Gerry Bange, retired on May 31. A spokeswoman says a replacement has not been selected. Seth Meyer was named acting chairman when Bange retired.