Christopher McCormack

Associate Director, Animal Services Division, AZ Department of Agriculture

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Chris McCormack was raised on his family’s ranch in central Oregon. He grew up working cattle and spending most of his summers haying. Chris actively participated in 4H and FFA. He attended the FFA’s Washington Leadership Conference, held several officer positions, won the state Agricultural Sales proficiency his senior year and went on to achieve the highest degree awarded in FFA, his American Farmer Degree. During high school, Chris accepted a welding position at a livestock equipment manufacturing company where he worked with horse and cattle producers throughout the Northwest to fabricate panels, feeders, chutes, and custom projects. Chris was quickly promoted to a supervisor position, and in 2007, when the company opened another location, Chris moved to Cottonwood, CA to serve as the new store manager.

 

Chris continued going to school while working and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Oregon State University. In 2011, Chris married his wife, Valerie, and moved to Arizona to attend law school. He graduated from ASU’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and spent the next two years working as a prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. As a prosecutor Chris gained trial experience and became familiar with the legal system. He then went to work for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office representing the Arizona Department of Agriculture. After spending two years representing the Department, Chris was asked to manage the Animal Services Division for the Department.