 As Director of the Foreign Agricultural Service's AgExport Services Division from 1990 to 1996, she managed USDA's international trade show program and coordinated outreach for new exporters.Hale previously served at the Embassy in Tokyo from 1981 to 1988, first as Agricultural Attaché, then as Agricultural Trade Officer.Ambassador Hale received USDA's top honor – the Secretary of Agriculture's Distinguished Service Award — for her cost effective management while opening the first Agricultural Trade Office in Japan.