Diane Gray serves as the Assistant State Conservationist for Management and Strategy for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in East Lansing, Mich. She has over 34 years of experience with the USDA, starting as a clerk-typist with the Soil Conservation Service in Bourbonnais, Ill.
Gray was appointed to her current position in February of 2015. As Assistant State Conservationist for Management and Strategy she is responsible for integrating conservation strategy and financial planning, personnel, locally-based administrative services, and other resources to deliver the mission of the state, area and local field offices. She also reviews the performance and accountability of conservation programs and operations.
Diane has served as Acting State Conservationist for Michigan, New Jersey and most recently for Maryland. Prior to her current position she served as State Administrative Officer. She has also served in Michigan as state budget officer, financial technician and area administrative coordinator. She served the first eight years of her USDA career in Illinois.