Conference Keynote Speakers
Pearlie S. Reed
Assistant Secretary for Administration
Pearlie S. Reed was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary for Administration on May 21, 2009. He is committed to carrying out Secretary Vilsack’s priority to transform USDA into a model organization, positioned to meet the present and future needs of its employees and customers.
Since 2003, Reed worked as a consultant in his own firm based in Marion, Arkansas, focusing on agriculture, conservation, economic development and management issues. Prior to 2003, he held a variety of positions at USDA throughout a distinguished 35 year career.
He began his career at USDA as a student trainee with the Soil Conservation Service in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas in 1968 while in college and rose to the position of the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1998. Reed served in that position until 2002.
He served in four states and headquarters during his career with USDA’s NRCS. From 1994-97, he served as NRCS’s Associate Chief. He was the State Conservationist for California from 1989-94 and State Conservationist for Maryland from 1985-89 responsible for leading comprehensive soil, water, and resource conservation and development programs in those states.
Reed previously served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration from 1997-98. A leader on Civil Rights issues, he was appointed to head the Civil Rights Action Team by then USDA Secretary Dan Glickman. The team issued a report that made recommendations on how to improve civil rights both inside and outside of USDA. President Bill Clinton issued an order that all 92 recommendations of the team be implemented.
Over the course of his career, he has received numerous awards and honors including the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award for strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service. He also received the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame Award and the USDA Silver Plow Award.
He is a native of Heth, Arkansas. Reed graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and received a Master’s of Public Administration degree from the American University, Washington, D.C.
Barbie Bassett
WLBT's Chief Meteorologist
Barbie Bassett is WLBT's Chief Meteorologist. Originally from Marks, she was reared on a farm as the last of four children. Barbie graduated from Mississippi College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications. She received her Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University with concentration in Broadcast Meteorology in 1995. Barbie is WLBT's first Chief Meteorologist in the station's 50 year history and has been granted the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society. She has been given the "Best Weathercast" award by the Associated Press for the last three years.
Barbie won the 2000 Mrs. Mississippi International title. At the Mrs. International pageant, she was named a semi-finalist in the Top 15 as she competed against women from all over the world. She has held 4 state beauty pageant titles and 1 national title over the years. Barbie is the current reigning Mrs. Magnolia State and is an accomplished opera singer, pianist, and model.
Before joining WLBT, Barbie was the weekend meteorologist for WTVC in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For two years, she was the morning meteorologist for WAPT, the ABC affiliate in Jackson. She is also an adjunct professor of communication for Mississippi College.
Barbie sits on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation, the Mississippi Epilepsy Foundation, the Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi, The Christmas Village, the Junior Auxiliary Madison Ridgeland Advisory Council and she is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi. She is Vice President of the American Meteorological Society Jackson Chapter, she teaches two year olds in Sunday School at Colonial Heights Baptist Church, she is a Life Member of the Madison-Ridgeland Junior Auxiliary and is a member of the Junior League of Jackson. Barbie was selected as the "Volunteer of the Year" for the National Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation for 2004 and has been named one of Mississippi's "Top 40 Under 40".
In her spare time, she enjoys storm chasing, collecting Barbie Dolls, and spending time on the family farm.
Barbie and her husband are the parents of three children: Grace, Will Christian and Lilly Faith.