Dr. Robert Johansson, the Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 2015, will be leaving the Department to become Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance effective February 1st.

Dr. Johansson received a BA in economics from Northwestern University, served with the U.S. Peace Corps from 1990 to 1995 and thereafter earned a Ph.D. in agriculture in applied economics from the University of Minnesota in 2000.  In commenting on his career change, Dr. Johansson stated “It has been a real honor to have spent more than two decades in public service working for the Peace Corps and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the OMB, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Council of Economic Advisors.”  Dr. Johansson served as the Chairman of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Board of Directors.

Dr. Seth Meyer, currently a Research Professor and the Associate Director for the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri will return to the USDA to assume the title and responsibilities of Dr. Johansson.  Dr. Meyer was previously the head of the World Agricultural Outlook Board and served as an economist with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.