Isaac White (Federal Government)
Systems Analyst, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
I decided on a career in public administration while serving as an Army combat medic in Iraq. I witnessed some of the outcomes that policy decisions produce and became interested in the processes that generate decisions of such consequence. After undergraduate studies in political science and economics at Edinboro University, I began working for the Social Security Administration. I started with SSA as a claims representative processing disability, retirement, and survivors applications and later moved into the IT department as a systems analyst.
Last year, while completing my MPA degree at Arkansas State University, I transferred to my current position with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within USDA. As a systems analyst, I conduct a wide range of duties including business process analyses, systems evaluations, capital and resource planning, and project management. The task consuming most of my time lately is serving as the project manager for an application being developing internally for agricultural inspectors at our nation’s ports. When completed, the application will provide a simplified method for obtaining regulatory guidance regarding which commodities can be granted entry into the country and under what conditions.
My project is just one of many at the agency with the goal of protecting American agriculture by preventing and controlling the spread of invasive species. Pests such as the Spotted Lanternfly, which is currently threatening fruit crops and trees in southwestern Pennsylvania, threaten our food supplies and can cause billions of dollars in damage if left uncontrolled.
I look forward to connecting with more ASPA-NCAC members. Feel free to reach out to me through my LinkedIn profile, or chat with me at the next chapter event!