Key appointments announced As the Biden administration was officially sworn in, the USDA also officially announced senior staff positions that don’t require confirmation. Gregory Parham, D.V.M., was named interim deputy assistant secretary for administration. Parham served as assistant secretary for administration from 2013-2016. Previously, he served as administrator of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Prior to that, Parham served as APHIS' associate administrator and as the deputy administrator for marketing and regulatory programs, business services. He joined USDA in 1982 and has worked for several agencies. Parham holds a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University and doctorate and bachelor’s degrees from Ohio State University.