(Washington D.C.) — Last week when newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue had visited a Nevada, Iowa, cattle farm he was asked when other positions within the U.S.D.A. would be filled? During his remarks, Secretary Perdue informed the crowd about a Le Mars, Iowa, woman that serves as his Executive Assistant and Adviser. That woman happens to be Rachel Pick, a former Gehlen Catholic alum and the daughter of the farm couple, Wayne and Kelley Pick.
KLEM news wanted to visit with Pick and learn about her respondsibilites serving with the former Georgia governor, now the head of the Agriculture Department.
Pick says it was by chance that she got the job of Executive Assistant.
Pick talks about the interviews for getting the job.
Pick explains her duties and responsibilities as the Agriculture Secretary’s Executive Assistant is much like a gatekeeper.
The former 2003 Gehlen student says when she was finishing her college years at Benedictine, she was wondering what should be her next move. She says she ended up at our nation’s capital based on a suggestion by her mother.
Pick says she worked with the Senior senator from Iowa for nearly five years.
From Senator Grassley’s office she then transferred to be an employee of the U-S Senate, working at the Sergeant-At-Arms office. Pick says when she was attending Gehlen, she thought her career would take he to be a teacher in elementary education and special ed. She says she had no idea that she would
end up in Washington D.C. Pick is not the only Plymouth County resident that is currently employed at the U-S Department of Agriculture. Former Morningside College professor, and rural Hinton resident Dr. Sam Clovis is also employed at the U-S-D-A.
Pick says Agriculture Secretary Perdue values her opinion and comments, especially when the discussion focuses on Iowa agriculture.
Secretary Perdue received a kind and warm reception when he visited Iowa, and the Le Mars native believes her new boss will be an active participant with farmers. She says Perdue wants to reassure farmers that he cares about the issues facing the agricultural industry.
Pick says Secretary Perdue is not your typical bureaucrat found in other government agencies.
Pick says she hopes to grow with her position at the U-S-D-A and be able to rely upon her Iowa farm background to help with issues as they arise.
