Tom Vilsack

Former Secretary of Agriculture and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack now holds several roles, including president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC); a Strategic Advisor of Food & Water Initiatives at the National Western Center as part of the Colorado State University System team; Global Chair for the International Board of Counselors on Food & Water Initiatives. He also currently serves as on the board of Feeding America, GenYouth and Working American Education Fund while also serving on the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Advisors.

Vilsack’s work with the CSU System and Denver Water supports the growing educational partnership at the new National Western Center in Denver – a 250-acre, $1.1 billion redevelopment project that will convert the historic site into a year-round destination for entertainment, research and educational opportunities, and agricultural business innovation and incubation.

Prior to his current roles, Vilsack served eight years as the Nation's 30th Secretary of Agriculture. As leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),he served two terms as the Governor of Iowa, in the Iowa State Senate and as the mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Vilsack received his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and his law degree from Albany Law School in New York.