Nevada Interagency Civil Rights Advisory Committee
and Special Emphasis Program Managers

The Nevada Interagency Civil Rights Advisory Committee is here to serve the employees and customers of the USDA's Farm Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development agencies.

Committee Officers

Jarrod Edmunds, Chair (3-year Term - Appointed 11/3/2011)
NRCS, Las Vegas Office - (702) 262-9047 x 104
Parc Pl. Prof Office Complex, Bldg A, #400
Las Vegas, NV  89120

Brien Park, Vice Chair (3-year Term - Appointed 11/3/2011)
NRCS, Ely - (775) 289-4065 x 111
744 E. North Industrial Way
Ely, Nevada 89315

Eric Eldredge, Secretary (3-year Term - Appointed 7/19/2011)
NRCS, Plant Materials Center - (775) 423-7957
2055 Schurz Highway
Fallon, NV 89406

NRCS/FSA Advisors

Bill Elder, NRCS State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 104
Cassie Storms, NRCS State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 110
Dan Rybicky, FSA State Office - (775) 784-5411 x 112

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers an informal process to help the Agency manage conflict more effectively, whether it’s workplace conflict, conflict with farmers and ranchers, or conflict with our partners.  The program offers a new way for resolving conflict through the utilization of various techniques including facilitation and mediation.  It is available to all employees, customers, and partners for dispute outside of the established dispute resolution systems, and is also available within grievance, appeals, and Equal Employment Opportunity complaint processes.

For more information, contact:

USDA, NRCS
5601 Sunnyside Ave.
Room 1-1120, Stop Code: 5472
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: 301-504-2181
Fax: 301-504-2175

The documents on this page require Acrobat Reader.  If you require this information in an alternate format, please contact Liz Warner, Public Affairs Officer, (775) 857-8500 x 105.

NICRAC Flyer April 2012 (PDF; 181KB)
SEPM Brochure (PDF: 420KB)

For more information on the Nevada Interagency Civil Rights Advisory Committee. (Minutes, Bylaws, Calendar etc.)

NRCS Special Emphasis Programs

Special Emphasis activities and support are integral part of the Civil Rights Program at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Within their respective programs, Special Emphasis Program Managers (SEPM's) assist management with issues concerning employment and advancement of the group they represent. This is a collateral duty assignment. 

SEPM activities may include:

• Planning, implementing, and monitoring the program.
• Participating in recruitment to help eliminate employment under-representation.
• Providing advice to management in developing and carrying out effective affirmative employment plans.
• Providing information to all employees and informing them of the program activities.
• Advising management on new and changing program needs.

more information on the role of the SEPM ...

NRCS Policy regarding Special Emphasis Programs - (Title 230 - Part 403)

Special Emphasis Program Managers (3 year terms)
(Appointments are made on a collateral-duty basis for a minimum of 3 years and may be renewed each year thereafter, not to exceed 5 years.)

American Indian/Alaskan Native Program (AI/ANP)  

AIANP Manager (appointed 12/09): Mike Odegard, NRCS Reno State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 140

Asian American/Pacific Islander Emphasis Program (AA/PIEP)

AA/PIEP Manager (appointed 12/09): Liz Warner, NRCS Reno State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 105

Black Emphasis Program (BEP) 

BEP Manager (appointed 8/10): Levi Steptoe, NRCS Reno State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 120

Disability Emphasis Program (DEP)

DEP Manager (appointed 12/09): William Elder, NRCS Reno State Office - (775) 857-8500 x 104

Federal Women's Program (FWP)

FWP Manager (appointed 1/11): Tracey Jean Wolfe, NRCS, Yerington Field Office - (775) 463-2265 x 101

Hispanic Emphasis Program (HEP)

HEP Manager (appointed 12/09): Carmella Irwin, NRCS Reno State Office - (775) 857-8500 x115

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender

LGBT Manager (appointed 4/12): Bill Conlin, NRCS, Yerington - (775) 463-2265 x 109

Veteran Emphasis Program (VEP)

VEP Manager (appointed 8/10):  Ed Sturges, NRCS Ely Field Office - (775) 289-4065 x112

We would be pleased to provide information on this Web site in an alternative format, if needed.  Please contact Jonnie Eyler, Webmaster, or Liz Warner, Public Affairs Officer, at (775) 857-8500. 

If you experience problems with this Web site, we would appreciate hearing from you.

Last Modified: 04/30/2012