Bob Odom Ends 28-Year Tenure
With Concession to Dr. Mike Strain
By MICHAEL DANNA
FB NEWS STAFF WRITER
With Concession to Dr. Mike Strain
By MICHAEL DANNA
FB NEWS STAFF WRITER
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FB NEWS STAFF PHOTO BY LAUREN THOM
BATON ROUGE – Bob Odom, who served as Louisiana’s
top ag chief for 28 years, conceded his post Thursday
to challenger Dr. Mike Strain.
The two had been headed for a runoff Nov. 17 following
a close primarily election Oct. 20. Odom got 43 percent
of the vote, while Strain garnered 41 percent. The
announcement came at a 2 p.m. press conference
at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
headquarters here.
“Today I announce my retirement after 28 years of
service,” Odom told the crowd of media and about
200 of his employees who gathered to hear the
concession speech. “I can never thank you enough.
And to the people of this state and agriculture in
general, I say ‘Thank you.’”
Many in the crowd wiped away tears during Odom’s
brief statement. From the faces in the crowd, it was
obvious many had heard rumors of Odom’s possible
concession earlier in the day.
“It was a tough decision for him,” said Randal Johnson,
Odom’s former aid and confidant. “He’s given a lifetime
of service to Louisiana agriculture and any time you
leave that it’s an extremely emotional situation.”
“Bob Odom is the best commissioner of agriculture Louisiana has ever had,” said Ray Young, a
crop consultant from Wisner, La. Young opened the press conference with remarks about
Odom’s commitment to Louisiana agriculture over the last three decades. “Bob’s commitment
to agriculture began long before his 28-year tenure,” Young said. “He’s done more for
agriculture than anyone, not only in Louisiana, but across the country. This department of
agriculture is the envy of the nation. Other state’s wish they had a department of agriculture
like Louisiana’s. I want to thank Bob Odom for his years of service and wish him success
throughout the rest of his career. His is a career that will always be defined by his commitment
to Louisiana farmers and Louisiana agriculture.”
Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson echoed Young’s comments, saying Odom “worked
tirelessly on behalf of agriculture and Louisiana’s farm and ranch community.”
“We at the Louisiana Farm Bureau certainly want to thank Bob for his many years of service to
Louisiana agriculture,” Anderson said. “We appreciate his efforts to unify all those involved in
agriculture and forestry. His work extended beyond the state, as he confronted problems that
faced all farmers. We wish him the best in his retirement and look forward to working with Dr.
Mike Strain as the new commissioner of agriculture.”
Throngs of media gathered around Odom as the press conference ended, shouting questions
about his indictments and his reputation for building state ag department facilities with
department employees. Odom gave no further comment as he returned to his office,
surrounded by his wife Millie, his son and daughter and grandchildren.
Outside Odom headquarters Agriculture Commissioner-elect Dr. Mike Strain told reporters he
accepted Odom’s concession, saying it was a unifying move for all of Louisiana agriculture.
“Bob’s decision will make the transition easier and I respect him tremendously for that,” Strain
said. “We’re now going to get down to the business of agriculture here in Louisiana.”
top ag chief for 28 years, conceded his post Thursday
to challenger Dr. Mike Strain.
The two had been headed for a runoff Nov. 17 following
a close primarily election Oct. 20. Odom got 43 percent
of the vote, while Strain garnered 41 percent. The
announcement came at a 2 p.m. press conference
at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry
headquarters here.
“Today I announce my retirement after 28 years of
service,” Odom told the crowd of media and about
200 of his employees who gathered to hear the
concession speech. “I can never thank you enough.
And to the people of this state and agriculture in
general, I say ‘Thank you.’”
Many in the crowd wiped away tears during Odom’s
brief statement. From the faces in the crowd, it was
obvious many had heard rumors of Odom’s possible
concession earlier in the day.
“It was a tough decision for him,” said Randal Johnson,
Odom’s former aid and confidant. “He’s given a lifetime
of service to Louisiana agriculture and any time you
leave that it’s an extremely emotional situation.”
“Bob Odom is the best commissioner of agriculture Louisiana has ever had,” said Ray Young, a
crop consultant from Wisner, La. Young opened the press conference with remarks about
Odom’s commitment to Louisiana agriculture over the last three decades. “Bob’s commitment
to agriculture began long before his 28-year tenure,” Young said. “He’s done more for
agriculture than anyone, not only in Louisiana, but across the country. This department of
agriculture is the envy of the nation. Other state’s wish they had a department of agriculture
like Louisiana’s. I want to thank Bob Odom for his years of service and wish him success
throughout the rest of his career. His is a career that will always be defined by his commitment
to Louisiana farmers and Louisiana agriculture.”
Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson echoed Young’s comments, saying Odom “worked
tirelessly on behalf of agriculture and Louisiana’s farm and ranch community.”
“We at the Louisiana Farm Bureau certainly want to thank Bob for his many years of service to
Louisiana agriculture,” Anderson said. “We appreciate his efforts to unify all those involved in
agriculture and forestry. His work extended beyond the state, as he confronted problems that
faced all farmers. We wish him the best in his retirement and look forward to working with Dr.
Mike Strain as the new commissioner of agriculture.”
Throngs of media gathered around Odom as the press conference ended, shouting questions
about his indictments and his reputation for building state ag department facilities with
department employees. Odom gave no further comment as he returned to his office,
surrounded by his wife Millie, his son and daughter and grandchildren.
Outside Odom headquarters Agriculture Commissioner-elect Dr. Mike Strain told reporters he
accepted Odom’s concession, saying it was a unifying move for all of Louisiana agriculture.
“Bob’s decision will make the transition easier and I respect him tremendously for that,” Strain
said. “We’re now going to get down to the business of agriculture here in Louisiana.”
ODOM RETIRES
Bob Odom embraces his granddaughter,
Taylor Odom, moments after stepping
down as commissioner of agriculture.
Taylor Odom, moments after stepping
down as commissioner of agriculture.
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