Presidents generally choose members of their cabinet for two reasons-- to reward them for their political support and/or because they are qualified for the particular position. Tom Vilsack was the governor of Iowa, and a loyal Democrat. But more than that, he had experience with agriculture, since he was the governor of a state where agriculture and farm policy are both very important. President Obama undoubtedly wanted to choose someone as Secretary of Agriculture who had experience with those kinds of issues; he also wanted to give Mr. Vilsack a position in the government, since he was no longer the governor of Iowa.
Tom Vilsack
Tom Vilsack - Agriculture Secretary
The current secretary is Tom Vilsack
Tom Vilsack :) (In Obama's Cabinet as of January 20th, 2009)
Tom Vilsack is the former governor of Iowa. A Democrat, he briefly ran for president in 2007-08, but dropped out of the race when his campaign failed to gain any traction. Later, President Obama named Mr. Vilsack to his cabinet, where he serves as Secretary of Agriculture.
Tom Vilsack was born on December 13, 1950.
Tom Vilsack was born on December 13, 1950.
Tom Vilsack is an American politician and attorney who served as the Secretary of Agriculture under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017 and was reappointed to the same position by President Joe Biden in 2021. He was the Governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007, where he focused on economic development and renewable energy. Vilsack holds a law degree from Albany Law School and has a background in public service and agriculture policy, making him well-suited for his role in federal agricultural leadership.
As of my last update in October 2023, Tom Vilsack serves as the United States Secretary of Agriculture. He was first appointed to this position by President Barack Obama and later reappointed by President Joe Biden. In this role, he oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is responsible for policies related to farming, food production, and rural development. Vilsack has been an advocate for rural communities and agricultural sustainability throughout his career.
Tom Vilsack is 60 years old (birthdate: December 13, 1950).
Tom Vilsack
usda.gov