 From 1978 to 1981, she worked with USDA's international trade policy staff in Washington, DC.Following her return from Micronesia in August 2007, Ambassador Hale served as deputy administrator for country and regional affairs of the Foreign Agricultural Service, then as associate administrator, and during the transition from the George W. Bush to the Obama Administrations, as acting administrator.Hale retired on November 30, 2010, with the personal rank of Career Minister after more than 30 years of public service.