USDA Names 50 New State Directors to Lead Farm Service and Rural Development Under Trump Agenda

On Friday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the appointment of 50 new Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development state directors.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put farmers first again,” said Secretary Rollins.

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 appointees across the nation.

Farm Service Agency Appointees

Alabama

Monica Carroll was appointed as Alabama’s FSA executive director. 

“Carroll and her family operate a diversified farm raising poultry and cattle, along with growing row crops. She previously served as chairperson of the FSA State Committee during President Trump’s first term. She is a board member for the Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council and serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Women’s Leadership Committee,” USDA said in its press release.

Arizona

Sine Kerr was appointed as Arizona’s FSA executive director.

“Prior to joining USDA, [Kerr] was first appointed, then elected to the Arizona State Senate, serving from 2018–2025. She was chairwoman of the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee, where she dedicated her time championing legislation for the betterment and protection of agriculture,” USDA said.

Arkansas

Ty Davis was appointed as Arkansas’ FSA executive director. 

“[Davis] previously served as the state agriculture liaison for Senator John Boozman and is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas,” USDA said.

California

Connie Conway was appointed as California’s FSA executive director. 

USDA said Conway held the role during President Trump’s first term. “She most recently served as chairman of the World Ag Expo, the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition,” the agency added.

Colorado 

Jerry Sonnenberg was appointed as Colorado’s FSA executive director.

According to USDA’s press release, “In 2022, [Sonnenberg] was elected as a county commissioner after 16 years of service in the Colorado legislature, eventually as president pro tem of the Senate. His background is as a fourth-generation farmer and rancher on his family’s Centennial Farm.”

Delaware

Richard Wilkins was appointed as Delaware’s FSA executive director.

“A farmer from Greenwood, Delaware, [Wilkins] previously served as president of the American Soybean Association in 2016 and as president of the Delaware Farm Bureau from 2018–2022. The Wilkins family produces soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay and maintains a 40 head cow-calf beef herd,” USDA said.

Florida

Marcinda Kester was appointed as Florida’s FSA executive director.

“[Kester] most recently served as the county executive director for Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties in Florida. Prior to her role in Florida, she served as the farm programs disaster specialist and farm programs chief for the Kentucky Farm Service Agency,” USDA said.

Georgia

Duncan Johnson was appointed as Georgia’s FSA executive director.

According to the agency, “[Johnson] most recently served as president of Johnson Consulting and Mediation, located in Augusta, Georgia. He has previously served as a trustee for Leadership Georgia and the Georgia Board of Physicians Workforce”

Illinois

William Graff was appointed as Illinois’ FSA executive director. 

USDA said Graff, of Middletown, Illinois, is a lifelong farmer. “This is his fourth appointment to the state executive director position. Previously he has served as a volunteer fireman, township supervisor, township trustee, and school board member. He and his family are members of the Lincoln Christian Church,” the agency added.

Kansas

David Schemm was appointed as Kansas’ FSA executive director.

“[Schemm] formerly served in this position during the first Trump administration and has also served as agricultural advisor for U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall. David works with his wife, Lisa, and son, Clay on their western Kansas farm,” USDA said.

Kentucky 

David A. Wayne was appointed as Kentucky’s FSA executive director.

“Most recently, [Wayne] served as the FSA county executive director for the Taylor County office in Kentucky. He owns and operates a beef cattle farm with his family in central Kentucky,” USDA said.

Louisiana

Craig McCain was appointed as Louisiana’s FSA executive director.

“[McCain] served in this same capacity during President Trump’s first term,” USDA said. “He has devoted his entire working life to the FSA and to the customers who depend on these services. In total he has nearly 37 years experience serving Louisiana’s agriculture with the FSA,” the agency added.

Massachusetts

Edward Davidian was appointed as Massachusetts’ FSA executive director.

USDA said that Davidian held the position during President Trump’s first term, and that he and his family have a produce farm in central Massachusetts. “He previously served as Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation president, along with serving many years in a leadership role within the organization,” the agency added.

Michigan

Joel Johnson was appointed as Michigan’s FSA executive director.

USDA said Johnson held the role during President Trump’s first term and that he “was most recently a constituent relations representative in the office of Congressman John Moolenaar.”

Minnesota

Kurt Blomgren was appointed as Minnesota’s FSA executive director.

“[Blomgren] is a fourth-generation family farmer from Butterfield, Minnesota, currently operating a diversified crop and livestock farm with his son Vance and family. In his local community, he is a volunteer firefighter, Sunday school teacher, and mentor to local urban youth with livestock projects at his farm,” USDA said. 

Mississippi 

Chris McDonald was appointed as Mississippi’s FSA executive director.

McDonald most recently served as the director of Federal and Environmental Affairs at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, according to USDA.

Montana 

Mike Foster was appointed as Montana’s FSA executive director.

According to USDA, Foster held the position during President Trump’s first term. “He was born and raised in Townsend, Montana, and currently lives in Bozeman where the FSA state office is located. He and his wife, Mary, a retired elementary teacher, have been married for nearly 46 years and have three grown children and three grandchildren,” USDA said.

Nebraska

Hilary Maricle was appointed as Nebraska’s FSA executive director.

“Most recently, [Maricle] served as deputy director for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. She and her family own and operate Maricle Family Farms,” USDA said.

New York

Clark Putman was appointed as New York’s FSA executive director.

“[Putman] returns having previously served as the FSA state executive director for New York from 2017–2021,” USDA said. “Prior to this he worked as FSA county executive director for 29 years and also brings over 25 years of experience as a dairy producer,” the agency added.

North Carolina 

Ron Garrett was appointed as North Carolina’s FSA executive director.

“Most recently [Garrett] served as a county executive director for FSA for over 33 years. [He] earned his bachelor of science degree in agricultural business management from North Carolina State University,” according to USDA.

North Dakota 

Brad Thykeson was appointed as North Dakota’s FSA executive director.

USDA said Thykeson held the position during President Trump’s first term. “He and his wife, Karla, are third-generation farmers, who farm corn, soybeans, wheat, and edible beans with his two sons and families in Steele, Barnes, and Traill counties in North Dakota,” the agency said.

South Carolina 

W.R. “Cody” Simpson, III, was appointed as South Carolina’s FSA executive director.

“A fifth-generation South Carolina farmer, Simpson is a member of the National Governors Association’s Land Management, Agriculture, Wildlife, and Rural Communities Advisory Network, and the S.C. Forest Recovery Task Force. Simpson also serves as a major in the S.C. State Guard,” USDA said.

Tennessee

Mike Mayfield was appointed as Tennessee’s FSA executive director. 

USDA said Mayfield “previously served in this position during President Trump’s first term after spending 35 years as the county director in Giles County, Tennessee. Mayfield owns and operates Mayfield Angus Farm with his family.”

Vermont 

Wendy Wilton was appointed as Vermont’s FSA executive director.

Wilton held this position during President Trump’s first term. “Most recently, she provided on-site financial consulting services and software support to Vermont municipalities with New England Municipal Resource Center,” USDA said.

Washington 

Jon Wyss was appointed as Washington’s FSA executive director.

According to USDA, “[Wyss] was born in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and attended Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to this appointment to the FSA, Wyss worked for his wife Melanie’s family company, Gebbers Farms, as an analyst and government affairs director.”

Wisconsin 

Sandy Chalmers was appointed as Wisconsin’s FSA executive director.

“[Chalmers] has served in a number of leadership roles advocating for farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans, and she returns to direct FSA operations in Wisconsin. [She] previously served in executive positions at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection,” USDA said. 

Rural Development Appointees

Alaska

Eric A. Koan was appointed as Alaska’s Rural Development director. 

“[Koan] graduated from Michigan State University with an agribusiness management degree in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by USDA Rural Development, starting in Michigan and then transferring to Alaska,” USDA said.

Arizona

Lori Urban was appointed as Arizona’s Rural Development director. 

“Most recently, [Urban] served as small business program manager for Arizona Commerce Authority, assisting businesses across Arizona,” USDA said. She’s originally from South Dakota but has called Arizona home for over 30 years.

Arkansas

David Branscum was appointed as Arkansas’ Rural Development director. 

“Most recently, [Branscum] served as director of governmental affairs at the Arkansas Department of Education. He previously served as Rural Development state director during President Trump’s first term and is a third-generation cattle rancher,” USDA said.

California 

Bryan Anguiano was appointed as California’s Rural Development director. 

According to USDA, “Before being appointed to USDA, [Anguiano] served as California state director for the Republican National Committee and President Trump’s campaign. During his tenure with the RNC, he oversaw the RNC’s investment for four years and three election cycles, including the 2022 midterms, 2024 presidential election, and the California gubernatorial recall.”

Colorado 

Sallie Clark was appointed as Colorado’s Rural Development director.

“Most recently, [Clark] served as the senior advisor for government and military engagement in the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs at the City of Colorado Springs, overseeing public policy, military engagement, and the Sister Cities International program,” USDA said.

Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands

MaryAnn Pistilli was appointed as state director for Rural Development in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

USDA said Pistilli’s political background includes “serving as the Florida state director for the 2024 Trump presidential campaign and as deputy state director for the 2020 campaign.”

Illinois 

Jesus Ortega was appointed as Illinois’ Rural Development director.

Ortega holds bachelor of arts degrees in political science and international studies from Loyola University Chicago, according to USDA. “Born and raised in the land of Lincoln, Jesus believes it is an honor to serve rural Illinois,” the agency said.

Kansas

Gimmie Jo Jansonius was appointed as Kansas’s Rural Development director.

“A sixth-generation rancher actively involved in production agriculture, [Jansonius’s] family’s business consists of a cow calf herd, small row crop farm, and direct beef sales enterprise where the seventh generation has also put down roots and returned home to rural America working in agriculture and healthcare,” USDA said.

Kentucky 

Travis Burton was appointed as Kentucky’s Rural Development director.

“Most recently, [Burton] served as associate vice president of government affairs for the Kentucky Hospital Association, working with state leaders to improve rural healthcare in the Commonwealth,” USDA said. He lives in Garrard County with his wife, Lindsay, and their young children.

Mississippi 

Dane Maxwell was appointed as Mississippi’s Rural Development director.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Maxwell “retired from law enforcement and is a successful businessman creating two successful national companies,” USDA said. “He was elected as mayor of his hometown of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and later elected Mississippi public service commissioner serving the southern 27 counties in Mississippi,” the agency added.

Missouri 

Ben Baker was appointed as Missouri’s Rural Development director.

Baker is a “former Missouri state representative with a focus on government efficiency and public service,” according to USDA. “He lives in Neosho, Missouri, with his wife, Naomi, and their two daughters, living a life grounded in faith, family, and a relentless drive to serve his community,” the agency added.

Nebraska 

Neil Moseman was appointed as Nebraska’s Rural Development director.

“Most recently, [Moseman] served as agriculture and energy policy director for U.S. Senator Deb Fischer,” according to USDA. He’s a fifth-generation Nebraskan and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, the agency added.

Nevada

Alida Ceballos was appointed as Nevada’s Rural Development director.

According to USDA’s press release, “Most recently, [Ceballos] served as Nevada state director of President Trump’s 2024 campaign. Her previous roles include serving as executive and political director of the Nevada Republican Party, and as the state data director for the 2020 Trump Victory campaign.”

New Hampshire and Vermont 

Patrick Suprunowicz was appointed as state director for Rural Development in New Hampshire and Vermont.

“Raised in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, [Suprunowicz] comes from the private sector in property management group and residential services, where he led teams focused on improving housing quality and property management systems,” USDA said.

North Carolina 

Robert Hosford was appointed as North Carolina’s Rural Development director.

USDA said Hosford held the position during President Trump’s first term. “In 2003, he was appointed the chief of staff for the USDA FSA through 2009. After earning a B.S. from Mississippi State University, Hosford relocated to Washington D.C., as a part of the government affairs team for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,” the agency said.

North Dakota 

Tom Campbell was appointed as North Dakota’s Rural Development director.

“[Campbell] started Campbell Farms with his two brothers. [He] has been an entrepreneur involved with farming, real estate, and banking. He has served on various boards and committees and received a degree from NDSU. Tom has six grandchildren and values his Christian faith,” USDA said.

Oregon

Jim Carmack was appointed as Oregon’s Rural Development director.

“[Carmack] brings a wealth of financial expertise with a 30-plus year career on Wall Street in capital markets and sales supervision with a strength in strategic planning. [He] has served in senior positions at investments banks, including Jefferies & Co. and Imperial Capital,” according to USDA’s press release.

Pennsylvania

Michael Cabell was appointed as Pennsylvania’s Rural Development director.

USDA said Cabell “previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he worked on issues impacting infrastructure, economic growth, and education in rural communities. Before his legislative service, [he] co-founded a multi-site behavioral healthcare company that serves communities across Pennsylvania.”

South Carolina 

Jacob French was appointed as South Carolina’s Rural Development director.

“[French] previously held positions in President Trump’s first term, initially at the Office of Food Safety and later at U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade Relations. Most recently, [he] served as the growth and outreach manager for Tyler Technologies in South Carolina,” USDA said in its press release.

Tennessee 

Patrick Jaynes was appointed as Tennessee’s Rural Development director.

According to USDA, “As Senior Consultant for Nashville-based Jigsaw Consulting, [Jaynes] engaged in local, state, and federal government relations. Prior to his work with Jigsaw, [he] served for 18 years as deputy chief of staff and state director with U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander.”

Utah 

Stan Summers was appointed as Utah’s Rural Development director.

He “recently completed his third term as a county commissioner for Box Elder County. During his time as a county commissioner, [he] also served as president of the Utah Association of Counties, chair of the Utah Association of County Commissioners and Councils, and chair of Bear River Association of Governments,” USDA said.

Washington

Kirk Pearson was appointed as Washington’s Rural Development director.

Pearson held the position during President Trump’s first term. “Most recently [Pearson] was an executive for a non-profit organization and served in the Washington State Legislature for 17 years, where he was the chair of the senate natural resources and parks committee,” USDA said.

West Virginia

John Reisenweber was appointed as West Virginia’s Rural Development director.

“Most recently, [Reisenweber] was a vice president for the Civil Military Innovation Institute (CMI2). Prior to that, [he] served as regional field representative for the U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito when she was in the House of Representatives,” according to USDA’s press release. 

Wyoming

Thomas (Tyler) Harrison was appointed as Wyoming’s Rural Development director.

“Most recently, [Harrison] served as field representative and veteran’s liaison for Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, WY-AL. He previously served over 25 years in the U.S. Coast Guard as an intelligence officer and project manager,” USDA said.

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.