WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 – Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that that Joanna Mounce Stancil has been selected to serve as the Director of the USDA Office of Tribal Relations.
"Joanna's background is a mix of corporate, Tribal, and federal experience. She has been a successful small business owner, contractor, and consultant to numerous Tribal governments, said Vilsack. "We are pleased to have her as a key contributor to our efforts to work closely with Tribal governments, communities and the individuals USDA serves in Indian Country."
As director, Ms. Stancil will provide permanent leadership to the efforts of USDA to improve tribal government consultation policies and practice and improve the ability of USDA agencies to work effectively with Tribal governments, communities and individuals. She will work closely with Janie Simms Hipp, who will continue to serve as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Tribal Relations.
Ms. Stancil is Shawnee/Cherokee from Oklahoma and has been an advisor to the Federal government in their responsibilities to Tribal governments and to Tribal governments in helping them in building infrastructure and economic development. Before joining USDA, she was the senior marketing specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration. She also served as the American Indian and Alaska Native program manager for the U.S. Census Bureau.
A former journalist, she is the founder of the National Tribal Conservation Areas project and has worked with the National Wildlife Federation, the National Congress of American Indians, numerous environmental organizations and Tribal governments to create tribally managed conservation parks similar to the National Park System.
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