U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has introduced new leadership appointments for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Rural Development (RD) divisions of the USDA.
“President Trump is putting Farmers First, and so is the incredible team we are building at the Department of Agriculture. Our latest additions to the USDA family are personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper,” said Secretary Rollins.
State-level appointments also strengthen the USDA's presence:
- In Alabama, Twinkle Cavanaugh takes over as State Director of Rural Development.
- In Alaska, Arthur Keyes becomes State Executive Director of the FSA.
- Kevin Andrus and Rick Youngblood will lead FSA and RD in Idaho, respectively.
- Steve Howell and Steve Brown assume RD and FSA roles in Indiana.
- John Butera and Tommy R. Higgins will guide RD and FSA efforts in Maine.
- Richard Mayfield returns to RD leadership in New York.
- Donald Jones and Charles Tassell head FSA and RD in Ohio.
- In Pennsylvania, Richard Ebert is appointed State Executive Director of the FSA.
- Nelson Albino joins as RD Director in Puerto Rico.
- Robert Sullivan takes on the FSA role in Rhode Island.
- In South Dakota, Lorraine Polak and Roger Chase will lead RD and FSA.
- Finally, Andrew C. Iverson is named RD State Director in Wisconsin.
These appointments focus on expanding healthy food access, supporting agriculture programs, and driving rural economic development. The new leaders are expected to play a key role in executing USDA’s America First mission and advancing agriculture across the nation.
Photo by: usda
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Bonnie Johnson
May 28, 2025
Media Article
