Jeffery Darrow
Topeka
Summary
Deputy Director at USDA with expertise in policy writing and compliance. Led successful transition to remote work, resulting in improved performance metrics. Proficient in budget management and communication, consistently driving process improvements and strategic planning to achieve organizational objectives.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Director
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Topeka
12.2020 - Current
- Supervise a team of 8 Risk Management Specialists
- Work with local Director and other Directors and Deputy Directors nationally to make policy decisions affecting billions of dollars in liability of crop insurance across the country.
- Work with Senior Risk Management Specialists reviewing claims and underwriting issues, answering questions and developing strategies used by specialists throughout our four state region.
- Review and evaluate training requirements for specialists, ensuring my team is always knowledgeable of recent program changes.
- Review and evaluate performance of specialists regarding crop insurance program maintenance and specific crop insurance written agreements that are tailored to individual producer needs.
- Review and approve all travel for office personnel, following strict government standards on government travel and cost management.
- Review and approve all purchases for office supplies and equipment, maintaining the office budget to cover all expected and unexpected needs.
- Transitioned the Topeka Regional Office from a single physical location for all employees to a remote work environment, developing remote training processes and collaboration practices resulting in an improvement in measurable performance metrics for the office as a whole.
- Turnaround time for Written Agreements and Determine Yields has been consistently reduced on a yearly basis since completing this transition in 2024.
- Worked with the Government Services Agency (GSA) to handle the termination of the building lease for our physical office, as well as selling and disposing off all of the office furniture and equipment accumulated by a government office that had been in continuous operation for over 40 years.
Risk Management Analyst
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Topeka
10.2006 - 12.2020
- Research and assemble actuarial materials (rates, coverage levels, prices, program dates and codes)
- Work with Deputy Director and National Outreach and Risk Management Education Coordinators to gain an understanding of and help administer various Outreach/RME projects
- Work with Senior Risk Management Specialists reviewing claims and underwriting issues
- Review Crop Insurance programs and policies to ensure companies are properly applying all rules and regulations
- Review and evaluate applications for Written Agreements and Determined Yields from producers requesting services beyond the scope of current crop insurance policies.
- Work with Senior Risk Management Specialist on Hybrid Seed Corn program, distributing yield data between seed companies and insurance companies.
- Part of this work included the massive overhaul of the Hybrid Seed database program, which involved working extensively with contracted programmers and USDA stakeholders to develop a system that met the needs of both RMA and industry participants.
Student Clerk Data Entry
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Topeka
12.2002 - 09.2006
- Entered crucial brucellosis testing data into a specially designed Oracle database at a high rate of speed with excellent technical accuracy
- Took over and maintained data entry, confirmation, and billing duties for USDA Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) program as it developed
- Developed and maintained an Oracle database to keep track of emergency Bovine Tuberculosis testing program
- Responsible for printing and shipment of quarterly newsletter to accredited veterinarians throughout the State of Kansas
Field Support Technician
H & R Block
Topeka
12.2002 - 05.2005
- Responsible for the initial installation, configuration, and imaging of networked computers throughout 14 individual offices throughout the cities of Topeka and Lawrence, KS
- Primary troubleshooter for over 140 computers, printers, network servers, and other equipment used to communicate between each office and World Headquarters in Kansas City, MO.
- Prioritized trouble calls within a stressful environment to ensure that the most customers possible could successfully be served.
Electronics Technician Second Class (ET2)
U.S. Navy
09.1996 - 09.2002
- Responsible for the testing, maintenance, and repair of multiple communications systems including RADAR, ground-to-air transmitters and receivers, and VHF/UHF communications antennae
- Planned, scheduled, and performed maintenance on over 70 antennae circuits, covering an urban area of over 250 square miles
- Recognized for exemplary performance at multiple military duty stations worldwide, twice being nominated for Unit and Base Sailor of the Quarter.
Education
GSEC and GCIH Certifications - Cybersecurity
SANS
Washington, DC07-2019
B.B.A. - Management
Washburn University
Topeka, KS05.2006
Completion of Second Class Petty Officer Leadership Course -
U.S. Navy
Jacksonville, FL06-2000
Completion of Petty Officer Indoctrination Training -
U.S. Navy
North Chicago, IL01-1998
Graduate -
Topeka High School
Topeka, KS01-1996
Skills
- Policy writing and compliance
- Claims review and risk assessment
- Budget management and data analysis
- Remote training and program evaluation
- Process improvement strategies
- Effective communication skills
- Performance evaluation and strategic planning
Certification
- GIAC GSEC Security Essentials Certification, 06/01/19, Expired
- GIAC GCIH Certified Incident Handler, 07/01/19, Expired
References
- Collin Olsen, USDA/RMA, (785) 228-5512
- Marianna Brunkow, USDA/APHIS, (785) 235-2365
- Dr. Kim Kirkham, USDA/APHIS
Timeline
Deputy Director
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
12.2020 - Current
Risk Management Analyst
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
10.2006 - 12.2020
Student Clerk Data Entry
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
12.2002 - 09.2006
Field Support Technician
H & R Block
12.2002 - 05.2005
Electronics Technician Second Class (ET2)
U.S. Navy
09.1996 - 09.2002
GSEC and GCIH Certifications - Cybersecurity
SANS
B.B.A. - Management
Washburn University
Completion of Second Class Petty Officer Leadership Course -
U.S. Navy
Completion of Petty Officer Indoctrination Training -
U.S. Navy
Graduate -
Topeka High School