Dr. Hosea Emilio Esteban was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on September 22nd for the position of USDA Deputy Secretary for Food Safety and was subsequently confirmed by the Senate.  Pending his appointment, Sandra Eskin, an attorney, has served as Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety, a position not requiring Senate confirmation.

Dr. Esteban has a distinguished career, earning a veterinary degree from his native Mexico followed by an MBA, a Master’s in Veterinary Preventive Medicine and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology all from the University of California-Davis.  Esteban completed the Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer Fellowship and served as Assistant Director of the Food Safety Office at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  He is currently the USDA-FSIS Chief Scientist.