Leigh Walton, supervisory information technology specialist with the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL), will be retiring on Friday, May 13, after 40 years of dedicated Federal service. Leigh began his career at the Beltsville Dairy as an animal caretaker in July 1970 and worked there until joining AIPL as a computer assistant in April 1973. He has continued to diligently work at AIPL over the course of the last 38 years in a variety of positions and has been recognized many times for his superior work and leadership by both the Federal government and dairy industry.

In 2010, Leigh was a co-recipient of the Outstanding Service Award of the National Dairy Herd Information Association (NDHIA) in recognition of his dedicated service and notable leadership. For more than 30 years, he has provided the computer expertise necessary to support USDA’s research program on the genetic evaluations of U.S. dairy animals. The NDHIA Outstanding Service Award traditionally has been presented to top individuals in organizations related to the DHI program, and Leigh’s receipt of this award was the first time that NDHIA has honored the contributions of service personnel within an organization. PD

—From AIPL e-mail