Luke J. Lindberg (born 1988/1989)[1] is an American businessman and diplomat serving as under secretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 2025.[2][3] In April 2026, he was nominated as the United States's candidate for the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme. [4]
Luke Lindberg | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs | |
| Assumed office August 4, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Alexis Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1988 or 1989 (age 37–38) Norwich, Vermont, U.S. |
| Relatives | John Thune (father-in-law) |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park (BA, MPP, MBA) |
Early life and education
editLindberg was raised in Norwich, Vermont, where his mother, Cheryl A. Lindberg, has served as town treasurer since 1996.[5] He graduated from Hanover High School in New Hampshire and earned a B.A. in Government & Politics, an MBA and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland.[6]
Early career
editLindberg began his career advising public and private sector clients on strategy, operations, and organizational performance in government and regulated environments with IBM in Washington, D.C.[7]
Between 2021 and 2022, Lindberg served at Sanford World Clinic, leading global health operations across seven countries, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and international partnerships, including a team of nearly 300 personnel across approximately 30 clinics in Ghana.[8]
In July 2019, Lindberg joined the Export–Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) as a senior executive, overseeing a $50 billion portfolio.[9] During his tenure, he helped implement the "China and Transformational Exports Program," after the EXIM board adopted a new content policy in December 2020.[10]
Under Secretary of Agriculture
editDonald Trump announced Lindberg's selection on January 16, 2025, via Truth Social.[11] The formal nomination was sent to the Senate (PN 12-26) on January 20, 2025.[3]
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 2, 2025, by a vote of 78–17.[12]
One month into his tenure, Lindberg and Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a three-point plan to "support U.S. Agricultural Farmers, Ranchers, Producers, and Exporters".[13]
Personal life
editLindberg lives in South Dakota with his wife, Brittany Thune Lindberg, and their two children.[14] Lindberg is the son-in-law of U.S. senator John Thune.[citation needed]
References
edit- ↑ https://kbhbradio.com/president-trump-taps-south-dakotan-to-head-united-nations-food-supply/
- ↑ https://www.fb.org/news-release/afbf-welcomes-luke-lindberg-confirmation
- 1 2 "PN12-26 — Luke Lindberg — Department of Agriculture". Congress.gov. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Support for USDA Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg's Candidacy for UN World Food Program Executive Director Position". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Town Treasurer". Town of Norwich, VT. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "Luke Lindberg – President & CEO". South Dakota Trade. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ Zimmerman, Caroline (5 December 2014). "Catching up with the Thune sisters". Argus Leader. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "Sanford international board helping guide global development". SiouxFalls.Business. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "Luke J. Lindberg Appointed Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer" (Press release). EXIM. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "EXIM Board Unanimously Approves Historic Policy to Support U.S. Exporters Competing with the PRC" (Press release). EXIM. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "Truth Social posts of January 16, 2025". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Department of Agriculture Reveals Three-Point Plan to Support U.S. Agricultural Farmers, Ranchers, Producers, and Exporters".
- ↑ "Luke Lindberg chosen as Trump's pick for USDA trade under secretary". Argus Leader. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.