Document dY9NERD59bappREddxKpnZ1wG

JEFF M. WITTE --------- i---------------------------- j---------------------------,----------- j--------------------- n -------------------------------------------- I Ex. 6 Las Cmces, NM| Ex. 6 pj Ex. 6 pjwitte@nmda.nmsu.edu Summary of Qualifications Twentyfive years ofprofessional experience with increasing responsibility in thefood and agriculture sector public policyfield with demonstrated success and achievement in bringing diverse groups togetherfor the common good. A proven ability to work within and across agencies to achieve collective missions and to effectively manage an agency within established budgetary constraints to provide essential services to a broad constituency. A demonstrated ability and extensive experience in working with the executive and legislative branch o f state government with tremendous respectfor each while balancing the role as a member o f the New Mexico State University administrative team. Present Position Director/Secretary, New Mexico Department, May 2011 to Present Primary duties include managing daily operations o f an organization with 140full-time employees, an annual budget o f over $16 million, strategic planning, and the administration o f state laws and regulations impacting the lives o f all New Mexico citizens. Serve on the governor's executive cabinet for the state o fNew Mexico. Serve as a member o f the senior administrationfor New Mexico State University Past Experience Director, Office of Agricultural Biosecurity, New Mexico State University/New Mexico Department of Agriculture, November 2003 to present. Co-Director, Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center, a partnership between New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, June 2006 to present. Responsibilities include strategic planning with a special emphasis in risk assessment and coordination between the agriculture industry andfederal/state agencies in securing a safefood supply and infrastructure. Activities include coordination o f research in livestock syndromic surveillance, staffand industry training in emergency preparedness, and terrorism awareness including the ten states along the United States and Mexico border. Significant Accompli shments: Developed a nationally recognized program in food and agriculture safety, defense and emergency response. This program serves as a model for agency/academic cooperation and coordination. Developed cooperative programs that brought together industry with local, state, tribal and federal agencies to deliver effective programs in the area of agriculture and food security. Assigned responsibility for all food and agriculture sector emergency response training programs in New Mexico by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency management. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 ED 002061 00065594-00001  Successfully coordinated and served as training director for the ten state border exercise program (table top, functional, full scale) involving the six states from Mexico and four states from the United States to improve coordination and collaboration in the region to address any agriculture emergency. Created the New Mexico Food Protection Alliance to improve coordination among local, state, tribal, and federal agencies with industry to protect the food supply. Project leader for the New Mexico Syndromic Surveillance Program, a livestock health monitoring program developed to provide early indications of possible significant health issues. USDA is evaluating this program for national deployment. Successfully applied for, received, and administered over $5 million in grants and contracts. Developed partnerships and programs with Louisiana State University, University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota, Purdue University, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky, and University of California at Davis in the area of food safety and defense. Assistant Director/Deputy Secretary, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, May 1994 to November 2003 Primary duties included managing daily operations o f an organization with 130fidl-time employees, an annual budget o f over $13 million, strategic planning, and the administration o f 38 state laws and regulations impacting the lives o f all New Mexico citizens. Major department accomplishments include improved staff training and confidence, streamlining budget and personnel administration while recognizing the department's responsibilityfor strong consumer protection and compliance education programs, and improving legislative and agricidture organization relations. Successfully plannedfor and oversaw the hiring o f critical positions. Additional duties included representing the director at governor's cabinet meetings, at state, national, and international meetings including with high level cabinet officials in Washington, DC and the New Mexico State University administrative council. Significant Accompli shments: Successful and seamless integration of the soil and water conservation program from another state agency. Task force leader to establish a methodology for valuing agriculture land and livestock for tax purposes. Creation of New Mexico Agriculture Leadership Inc., a private, nonprofit organization to provide unique opportunities for future leaders in New Mexico. Successful management of the New Mexico Karnal Bunt Emergency Response. Director of Governmental Affairs and Field Services, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, September 1986 - May 1994 Primary responsibilities included serving as full-time lobbyist and coordination o f legislative and membership program activities. Worked closely with agriculturalproducers to develop and implementpolicies o f the organization and represent their interest at the local, state andfederal level. Attended monthly meetings across New Mexico topromote and support member activities including the Farm Bureau Women's Committee, Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Farm Programs Committee, and Public Lands Advisory Committee. Additional responsibilities included working with other agricultural and business organizations to coordinate activities on issues o f common concern. JeffM. Witte Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 2 ED 002061 00065594-00002 Significant Accompli shments: Organized the "Ag Group", an informal working group of all agriculture organizations involved in the state legislative process. This improved and helped establish a unified lobbying effort among all agriculture organizations in New Mexico. Created "Ag Fest", an annual event to showcase the food and agriculture industry to the New Mexico legislature, executive branch and their staffs. This event significantly increased agricultures presence during the legislative session and has been a highlight for over 20 years. Commissioner, New Mexico Public Service Commission, August 1990 - March 1991 Appointed tofill out the term o f a commissioner who left early. I took leavefrom the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau during this timeframe. Responsibilities included the regulation o f electric, gas, and water utilities in New Mexico. Managed agency budget and supervised staff. Appointed to the Committee on Finance and Technology o f the National Association o fRegulatory Utility Commissioners. Graduate o f 18thAnnual Utility Rate Seminar. Research Specialist, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business, New Mexico State University, August 1985 - July 1986 Research areas included grazingfee analysis, price forecasting, hedging analysis, andforagefiber trade-offimplications. Responsibilities included statistical analysis, econometric analysis, formulation o fpolicy implications, and report writing. Research Specialist, Range Economics Consulting Firm, Las Cruces, New Mexico, February 1985 - August 1985 Ranch budget analysis o f 1982 cost and returnsfor small, medium, and large ranchesfor the 17 western states. Research Assistant, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Research, New Mexico State University, July 1984 - August 1985 Research areas included impactsfrom oil and gas development to rangeland, grazingfee analysis, andforage-fiber trade-offimplications. Awards Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, 2014 Man of the Year, New Mexico Cowbelles Association, 2012 JJonorary State FFA Degree, New Mexico FFA Association, 2012 New Mexico State Employee of the Year Award, Coalition of Arizona/New Mexico Counties, 2011 James Graham Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, 2009 Ayudando Siempre Alii, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, 2009 JeffM. Witte Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 3 ED 002061 00065594-00003 Secretary's Honor Award presented by Dr. I Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, 2004 and 2009 US Department of Justice Certificate of Commendation, 2008 Salt of the Earth Award, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, 1999 Sam Steel Society, New Mexico State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics, 1995 Outstanding Community Service, New Mexico House of Representatives, 1994 Outstanding Service to the Industry, New Mexico Public Lands Council, 1994 Salt of the Earth Award, New Mexico Wool Growers, 1993 and 1994 Honorary State FFA Degree, New Mexico FFA Association, 1991 Outstanding Service to Beef Industry, New Mexico Beef Council, 1988 Distinguished Student Award, New Mexico State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics, 1984 Outstanding Senior Member, New Mexico State University Collegiate FFA, 1984 Current Professional and Community Activities Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture, President - 2014 to present Western United States Agriculture Trade Association, Treasurer, 2014 to present National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Board member, 2014 - present Chair, Natural Resources, Pesticide Management and Environment Committee New Mexico FBI Citizens Academy Alumni -2011 Association of Food and Drug Officials - 2010 to present Southern New Mexico State Fair Livestock Committee, Sale Superintendant - 2009 to present National Domestic Preparedness Coalition, Homeland Security Task Force Member - 2008 to present New Mexico 4H Foundation - 2006 to present New Mexico Infragard - 2003 to present AgriGard - Founding member - 2003 to present New Mexico Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council - 2003 to present New Mexico Wool Growers' Association - 1994 to present New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau - 1986 to present New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association - 1980 to present Past Professional and Community Activities Las Cruces FFA Farm Business Management Team Coach - 2008 to 2011 New Mexico Agriculture Leadership, Founding Member, Past Board Chairman - 2001 to 2006 Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo, Executive Board Member - 1998 to 2007 Dona Ana County EXPO Board - 2005 to 2007 Farm Credit of New Mexico, ACA, Appointed Director: March 1997 to February 2002 Santa Fe County Fair Board - 1994 Water Quality Control Commission, Public Member - 1993 to 1994 JeffM. Witte Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 4 ED 002061 00065594-00004 Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Public Advisory Committee, Western Governors' Association - 1991 to 1996 Certifications Certified instructor for the following Department of Homeland Security Courses: The National Center for Biomedical Research and Training at Louisiana State University Preparedness and Response to Food and Agriculture Incidents Preparing Communities for Agroterrorism A Coordinated Response to Food Emergencies: Practice and Execution Readiness: Training Identification and Preparedness Planning The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine; Agriculture and Food Vulnerability Training Course Food Vulnerability Assessment Training Course Implementation of Effective Sharing of Information and Intelligence Related to the Importation and Transportation of Food Utilization of National Credentialing Standards for Animal Emergency Responders: Managing a Disaster Response and Recovery Education Master of Science, August 1985 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico Major: Agricultural Economics and Economics Bachelor of Science, May 1984 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico Major: Agricultural Business Management Additional Training United States Department of Homeland Security "Protected Critical Infrastructure Information" user training New Mexico State University "Principal Investigator Training" program US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation "WMD Basic Course" Emergency Management Institute "US Department of Homeland Security IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS) an Introduction" Emergency Management Institute "IS-800.A National Response Plan (NRP), an Introduction" Emergency Management Institute "IS 195 Basic Incident Command System" Emergency Management Institute "ICS 300 Incident Command System" Emergency Management Institute "ICS 400 Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, Complex Incidents and MACS for Operational First Responders" JeffM. Witte Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 5 ED 002061 00065594-00005