USDA Secretary Mike Johanns established a USDA Sustainable Operations Council, and appointed ASA Boyd K.Rutherford as Chair, in June 2007 to provide executive leadership in implementing Executive Order (E.O.) 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management." Three existing USDA management councils will assist the Sustainable Operations Council. Four working groups will develop guidance, draft policies, and other tools to assist the councils in implementing the executive order.

1. Assistant Secretary Boyd K. Rutherford, Chair
Departmental Administration

2. Deputy Under Secretary Merle D. Pierson
Research, Education, and Economics

3. Deputy Under Secretary Douglas Faulkner
Rural Development

4. Deputy Under Secretary Gary Mast
Natural Resources and Environment

5. Deputy Administrator William Hudnall
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

6. Deputy Chief Hank Kashdan
Forest Service

7. Director William Hohenstein
Global Change Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist

8. Deputy Director John Crew
Departmental Administration

Executive Staff: Sharon Holcombe, DA Office of Procurement & PropertyManagement