Shere officially named USDA chief veterinary officer

Dr. Jack Shere has officially been named the USDA chief veterinary officer and deputy administrator for Veterinary Services, after serving in that capacity on an interim basis for nearly two months.

Dr. Jack Shere | Photo courtesy of USDA
Dr. Jack Shere | Photo courtesy of USDA

Dr. Jack Shere has officially been named the USDA chief veterinary officer and deputy administrator for Veterinary Services, after serving in that capacity on an interim basis for nearly two months.

Shere’s appointment was announced April 4 by Kevin Shea, administrator of USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

“Dr. Shere will lead the program’s many employees in protecting and improving the health, quality and marketability of U.S. livestock, animal products and veterinary biologics,” Shea said in announcing the appointment. “He will also oversee VS’ national and international reference laboratory.”

Shere replaces Dr. John Clifford, who served in that capacity for 12 years before being named chief trade advisor for VS National Import Export Services.

Shere joined VS in 1990 as a field veterinary medical officer in Nebraska and Wisconsin and has held many leadership positions since then, including associate Western regional director from 2002 to 2005 and Eastern regional director from 2005 to 2013.

More recently, Shere served as VS’ Associate Deputy Administrator since 2013.    

Beyond the domestic program disease work that is a large part of VS’ mission, Shere has extensive experience with animal disease outbreaks, including Salmonella enteritidis, foot-and-mouth disease in England, low pathogenic avian influenza, Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

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