March 5, 1985
The President today announced his intention to nominate John R. Norton III to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. He would succeed Richard E. Lyng.
Mr. Norton is currently president and chief executive officer of J.R. Norton Co., an agricultural production company which he founded in 1955. He is involved in numerous business and civic organizations, holding various positions including director and past chairman of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association; director of the Arizona Public Service Co.; director and member of the executive committee of the Central Arizona Project Association; and director and past chairman of the Western Growers Association.
Mr. Norton graduated from the University of Arizona (B.S., 1950). He served in the Air Force as a first lieutenant from 1953 to 1955. He is married, has three children, and resides in Paradise Valley, AZ. He was born April 10, 1929, in Glendale, AZ.