Posted: 01.06.2011

Wisconsin's new Agriculture Secretary is starting to put staff members in place at the Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Thursday Secretary Ben Brancel appointed Jeff Lyon to be the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and Susan Buroker to be the Executive Assistant.

Lyon has served the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation since 1988, most recently as director of governmental relations and previously as director of member relations. He has been responsible for outreach on legislative and regulatory issues including land use, nonpoint pollution, nutrient management and wildlife damage, and he has been the lead staff person on WFBF's Dairy Advisory and Policy Development Committee.

He will begin his new duties Jan. 18.

Susan Buroker has been selected to continue her position as administrator of the department's Division of Management Services.  That's actually a position that Brancel appointed her to in 1998, during his first term at Secretary. She has served in that capacity until now, overseeing the department's information technology, laboratory services, human resources, finance, mail and print services, facility management and GIS functions.

Buroker has also represented the Secretary over the years as a delegate to meetings of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture. All four secretaries for whom she has worked have recognized Buroker with Exceptional Service Awards. She has already started her new job.

In announcing the appointments, Secretary Brancel said, "I'm very pleased that Jeff and Sue have agreed to join my executive team. Jeff's experience in agricultural issues is extensive and will serve the agricultural community well. Sue has risen through the ranks because she's always been the go-to person who executives, managers and staff could rely on to get things done. Both will serve the people of Wisconsin well."

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