Office of Energy and Environment Structure and Staff
William Hohenstein, Director of the Office of Energy and Environmental Policy
William Hohenstein is the Director of USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy (OEEP), within the Office of the Chief Economist. OEEP serves as a focal point for the Department’s energy, environmental markets, and climate change activities. Before working at USDA, Mr. Hohenstein served as a Division Director in EPA’s National Center for Environmental Economics.
Jeffrey K. O'Hara, Deputy Director, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses
Jeff O’Hara is the Deputy Director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Jeff researches and analyzes energy and bioeconomy policies. These policy topics include biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, biomaterials and products, and agricultural and forestry feedstocks.
Kathryn L. Zook, Deputy Director, Climate Change and Environmental Markets
Kate Zook serves as the Deputy Director of Climate Change and Environmental Markets in the Office of Energy and Environmental Policy. Kate works with USDA leadership to coordinate policy and activities related to climate change mitigation, energy, and environmental markets for the U.S. agriculture sector. Her expertise is in policy analysis related to market-based conservation, agriculture, and climate change. Kate has domestic and international experience in agricultural resource management, working for both academic and nongovernmental organizations.
