Background
Penn, J. B. was born on December 18, 1944 in Lynn, Arkansas, United States. Son of Jacob Bernard and Virginia Lucille (Martin) Penn.
economist federal agency administrator
Penn, J. B. was born on December 18, 1944 in Lynn, Arkansas, United States. Son of Jacob Bernard and Virginia Lucille (Martin) Penn.
Bachelor of Science, Arkansas State University, 1965. Master of Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 1967. Doctor of Philosophy, Purdue University, 1973.
Research economist Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, W. Lafayette, Indiana, 1967-1975, leader policy group Washington, 1975-1976, deputy administrator for economics, 1979-1981. Member senior staff, Council Economic Advisers Executive Office of the President, 1977-1978. President Economic Perspectives, Inc., 1981-1988.
Senior vice president Sparks Commodities, Inc., 1988—2001. Under secretary for farm & foreign agriculture services United States Department of Agriculture, 2001—2006. Chief economist Deere & Company, Moline, Illinois, since 2006.
Member of advisory board Center for National Policy, Washington, 1990. Board directors Foundation for Development of Polish Agriculture, Warsaw, 1990, Farm Foundation, 1995. Member American Agricultural Economics Association, American Economics Association.
Married Martha Ann Brannon (divorced). Children: Penny Alane.