STATEMENT FROM CDFA SECRETARY A.G. KAWAMURA, RECOGNIZING JOHN CONNELL ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM STATE SERVICE

SACRAMENTO, October 30, 2009 – “Today I would like to publicly commend John Connell, who is retiring as the director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. John served the State of California for 33 years, including 28 years at CDFA, and has played an important role in keeping California the top agriculture state in the country."

Robert Leavitt, Ph.D. will serve as acting director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services until a successor is named

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