The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted to its Hall of Fame two retired agency leaders whose impact continues to resonate today. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work at the agency has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides.
“These accomplishments are built on a solid foundation formed by earlier NASS employees. We are reminded frequently of their contributions and are honored to have the opportunity to recognize some of them via the NASS Hall of Fame,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “I had the good fortune to work with both of these outstanding gentlemen and know firsthand the significance of their work and their positive impact on other employees like me as we came up through the ranks.”
The 2016 inductees to the NASS Hall of Fame are:
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Allen
Richard D. Allen – for leading with integrity and an unwavering desire to improve the quality and timeliness of agricultural statistics. Richard D. Allen dedicated his career to NASS, the statistical community, and U.S. agriculture. As NASS historian and a compassionate mentor, his legacy includes the countless statisticians he helped develop into exceptional stewards of agricultural statistics.
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Bay
Donald M. Bay – for producing significant and lasting changes to NASS’ agricultural statistics program and organizational culture, including the transfer of the Census of Agriculture program from the Census Bureau to NASS. During a time of technological change, he skillfully maintained morale and implemented many efficiency measures.
NASS established the Hall of Fame to recognize former employees whose contributions to the agency and to agricultural statistics transcend time. Individuals honored in the Hall of Fame exemplify integrity, honesty, and commitment to public service.
To learn more about the NASS Hall of Fame, including information on how to submit a nomination, visit www.nass.usda.gov/About_NASS/Hall_of_Fame.