Bob
Gore assumed the position of Acting Director of the
Washington State Department of Agriculture effective May 6,
2008 upon the retirement of Valoria Loveland. Bob had
served as Deputy Director since June 1, 2006. Previously,
he led the largest division at WSDA, the Commodity Inspection
Division, since 1996. He began his career at WSDA as a grain
sampler.
As the leader of the Commodity Inspection Division,
Bob increased the use of technology to report real-time
inspection results and quality data electronically to customers
of fruit, vegetable, grain and seed inspections.
Due to
his special expertise in grains, Bob has participated in
furthering the grain industry’s accomplishments. He
has represented WSDA on the Washington Wheat Commission,
Washington Barley Commission, and the Washington Dry Pea & Lentil
Commission. Bob is past president of the American Association
of Grain Inspection and Weighing Agencies.
As Acting Director, Bob oversees an agency responsible for
animal health, water quality, plant inspections, food safety,
fruit and grain inspection and certification, and marketing
the state's agricultural products regionally and
internationally.