Lester Crawford

Lester Crawford

Lester Mills Crawford Jr. (born March 13, 1938) is an American veterinarian and government official who served as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. He has also held various academic and administrative positions throughout his career.

Early Life and Education

Lester Crawford was born in Cairo, Georgia. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Auburn University and later obtained a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Georgia.

Career

Crawford's career spans both academia and government service. He has held faculty positions at several universities, including Auburn University and the University of Georgia. In addition to his academic roles, Crawford has served in various capacities within the federal government.

Food and Drug Administration

Crawford joined the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1980s, where he held several key positions. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2002 and later served as Acting Commissioner. On July 18, 2005, he was confirmed as Commissioner of the FDA by the United States Senate. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he resigned on September 23, 2005.

Post-FDA Career

After leaving the FDA, Crawford faced legal issues related to financial disclosures. He pleaded guilty to charges of conflict of interest and false reporting in 2006.

Personal Life

Crawford is married and has children. He continues to be involved in various professional activities related to veterinary medicine and pharmacology.

See Also

• Food and Drug Administration
• Auburn University
• University of Georgia
• Pharmacology