PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
March 28, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced the hiring of Dr. Janice Mogan. She will serve as NDA's first Homeland Security Veterinarian.

Dr. Mogan, whose salary is funded through a United States Department of Agriculture grant, will work directly with NDA's Emergency Coordinator, State Veterinarian, and emergency response team to further enhance and develop emergency response plans for foreign animal disease. Her role will also entail working with farmers and ranchers as well as agricultural organizations on a state, regional and national level.

"One of the largest potential agri-terrorism threats is to livestock. A highly contagious disease, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease, could potentially have a devastating effect on the economy of the state," said Director Ibach. "She will be a great addition to our veterinary emergency response efforts."

Dr. Mogan grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Newton College in Massachusetts and graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from veterinary school, she spent 14 years in private practice in North Carolina, and the past 11 years with the American Veterinary Medical Association.

"I hope to be able to serve Nebraska and enhance the capability of the state's agricultural emergency response," said Dr. Mogan. "I am excited to be a part of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture team, a team that is working to protect Nebraska from agricultural related threats."

Dr. Mogan and her husband, Dr. Timothy King, who works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service, are the parents of two children, Jennifer and Jonathan.