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Secretary Perdue Swears In USDA’s Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today administered the oath of office to swear in Donald “DJ” LaVoy to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary.
 
“DJ LaVoy brings decades of leadership in economic development and affordable housing to this role and we are excited to welcome him to our USDA team,” Secretary Perdue said. “DJ has effectively led large-scale IT innovation, interagency relationships, and public-private partnerships to improve government customer service and the quality of life for Americans across the country. DJ is well equipped to fight for rural America’s economic prosperity and development, working hard to fulfill one of President Trump’s top priorities.”
 
 
About Donald “DJ” LaVoy:
An experienced leader who focuses on people and effective management outcomes, DJ LaVoy has more than 22 years of experience working as a leader in affordable housing and economic development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most recently, LaVoy served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) where he was highly effective in driving agency innovation. LaVoy led the replacement of numerous, outdated IT data collection systems with data streaming, and web portals architecture in a cloud environment. LaVoy also partnered with members of the federal family and all 58 State Housing Finance Agencies to lead the way in establishing a universal inspection standard for federally subsidized properties. The standard will increase customer service and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country. LaVoy started his career with the United States Marine Corps and is a marine aviator and combat veteran. He earned his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Old Dominion University and his Master of Industrial Engineering from U.S. Army War College.
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Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim



In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.