USDA Appoints More State Directors to Lead FSA and Rural Development Under Trump Agenda

On Tuesday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the appointment of new Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development state directors.

These follow the first slate of appointments announced at the beginning of May.

“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. I look forward to seeing the work they will do supporting farmers, ranchers, and producers across the country by implementing President Trump’s America First policies,” Secretary Rollins said.

According to the press release outlining the appointments, “FSA state directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute the USDA’s policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. Rural Development state directors help affirm the mission of the Trump administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.”

Here’s a closer look at the additional appointees across the nation.

Farm Service Agency Appointees

Alaska

Arthur Keyes was appointed as Alaska’s FSA executive director. 

According to USDA’s press release, “With over two decades of agricultural experience, [Keyes] has led efforts to advance Alaska’s agricultural policy and industry. From 2016–2019, as director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture, he developed an internationally recognized, award-winning marketing program for Alaska Grown products. [He also] founded Alaska’s highest-grossing farmers market in 2006.”

Idaho

Kevin Andrus was appointed as Idaho’s FSA executive director. 

Andrus “previously served in the Idaho House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Agriculture Committee. [He] has hands-on experience in agricultural production, including raising cattle and horses, and has also worked as a loan officer for Ireland Bank,” USDA said.

Indiana

Steve Brown was appointed as Indiana’s FSA executive director.

Brown “formerly served as the Indiana State Executive Director for FSA in the first Trump administration. He has been actively involved in his family farming operation for over 40 years,” USDA said. The agency added that Brown is “a former USDA employee with 32 years of experience working in Porter and Carroll counties, as well as the Indiana State FSA Office. He was inducted into the Carroll County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2023.”

Maine

Tommy R. Higgins was appointed as Maine’s FSA executive director. 

“Most recently, [Higgins] served as the deputy state director of USDA Rural Development in Maine. He previously served as associate enterprise director and assistant state director in USDA Rural Development, and as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. [Higgins] earned his master of science degree in International Relations from Troy State University and his bachelor of arts degree in public administration from the University of Maine,” USDA said.

Ohio 

Donald “Don” Jones was appointed as Ohio’s FSA executive director. 

USDA said Jones “was most recently in his fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he chaired the Agriculture Committee and served on the Natural Resource, Finance and Education committees. [He], along with his wife Amy, runs a 30 head commercial cow/calf operation and markets hay.”

Pennsylvania

Richard Ebert was appointed as Pennsylvania’s FSA executive director. 

“A farmer from Blairsville, Pennsylvania, he previously served as president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau from 2014–2022. He served on the American Farm Bureau board of directors from 2018–2022. The Ebert family has a diversified farm operation of beef, sheep, and vegetables,” USDA said in the press release.

Rhode Island 

Robert Sullivan was appointed as Rhode Island’s FSA executive director.

According to USDA, Sullivan “is a lifelong Rhode Islander with a deep commitment to public service and a devotion for the state’s floriculture industry. [Sullivan’s] career as a landscape contractor allowed him to cultivate a love for nature. He recently served on the board of directors for the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, where he founded the Southern Rhode Island Young Professionals.”

South Dakota 

Roger Chase was appointed as South Dakota’s FSA executive director.

“[Chase] has an extensive background in both business and agriculture,” USDA said. The agency added that he is “an owner and partner in Chase Grain and Cattle with his oldest son. The farm raises diversified crops and cattle. He served as a state representative in South Dakota from 2017–2024, conducting several leadership assignments on summer studies, and [he] chaired the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.”

Rural Development Appointees

Alabama

Twinkle Cavanaugh was appointed as Alabama’s Rural Development director.

“[Cavanaugh] previously served as president of the Alabama Public Service Commission, where she was first elected statewide in 2010. In 2020, she received the most votes in Alabama history for a non-presidential candidate,” USDA said.

Idaho 

Rick Youngblood was appointed as Idaho’s Rural Development director.

USDA said Youngblood is an “Idaho native who served as a contract legislative advisor for Select Health of Idaho after retiring in 2022 [from] a career as an executive banker and serving five terms as an Idaho State Representative, with two terms as chairman of appropriations. [Youngblood] attended North Idaho College, College of Idaho, and graduated from Northwest Ag Credit School at Washington State University and Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington.”

Indiana

Steve Howell was appointed as Indiana’s Rural Development director.

“He previously served as director of Community Affairs for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and as deputy district director for Congressman Mark Souder. He is also engaged in his family farm in Jay County, Indiana,” USDA said.

Maine

John Butera was appointed as Maine’s Rural Development director.

Butera “recently served as vice president, commercial loan officer at Skowhegan Savings Bank. He previously served as senior economic advisor and commissioner of labor to Maine Governor Paul LePage,” USDA said in the press release.

New York

Richard Mayfield was appointed as New York’s Rural Development director.

USDA said Mayfield “brings over 30 years of federal, state and local government experience to this position, most recently as director of central service for Dutchess County. He previously served as director of operations and press secretary for Orange County, New York, and director of community development in Orange County, New York.”

Ohio

Charles Tassell was appointed as Ohio’s Rural Development director.

“[Tassell] has worked on housing and development policy for over 30 years, most recently as the COO for the National Real Estate Investors Association,” USDA said. The agency added that he has served for eight years as an elected council member in Deer Park, Ohio; is an author; and is an advisor and a professor for Lisbon Business and Government School.

Puerto Rico

Nelson Albino was appointed as Puerto Rico’s Rural Development director.

Nelson “comes from the private sector working in the healthcare industry [in] different executive roles. He also serves our country as a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol and is a devout Catholic,” USDA said.

South Dakota 

Lorraine Polak was appointed as South Dakota’s Rural Development director.

USDA said Polak grew up on a Nebraska dairy farm and “has worked in public service for more than 30 years in the areas of housing and economic development, serving most recently as the housing policy specialist for U.S. Senator Mike Rounds.”

Wisconsin

Andrew C. Iverson was appointed as Wisconsin’s Rural Development director.

“Iverson most recently served as executive director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin and previously held positions with the Republican National Committee, Senator Ron Johnson, Representative Bryan Steil, and others,” USDA said.

Map of Appointees