U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced several presidential appointments to key leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including new state executive directors for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD), as well as a new Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS). These appointees will be responsible for implementing the administration's agricultural policies.
FSA State Executive Directors are tasked with overseeing the agency's programs within their states, which directly impacts farmers and agricultural producers. RD State Directors focus on promoting economic prosperity in rural communities, while the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) addresses food access.
National Appointment Patrick A. Penn has been named Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. Penn served as a State Representative in the Kansas Legislature from 2021 to 2025 and is a former Army Signal Officer.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Appointments New FSA State Executive Directors include:
Alaska:
Arthur Keyes, former Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture with over two decades of agricultural experience.
Idaho:
Kevin Andrus, a former Idaho House of Representatives member who chaired the House Agriculture Committee and has experience in cattle and horse production.
Indiana:
Steve Brown, who previously served as Indiana State Executive Director for FSA and has over 40 years of experience in his family's farming operation.
Maine:
Tommy R. Higgins, most recently Deputy State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine and a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.
Ohio:
Donald “Don” Jones, a former Ohio House of Representatives member where he chaired the Agriculture Committee, and co-operator of a commercial cow/calf operation.
Pennsylvania:
Richard Ebert, a farmer and past President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (2014-2022).
Rhode Island:
Robert D. Sullivan, a landscape contractor with a background in the state's floriculture industry.
South Dakota:
Roger Chase, owner and partner in Chase Grain and Cattle, and a former State Representative who chaired the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.
Rural Development (RD) State Director Appointments New RD State Directors include:
Alabama:
Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, former President of the Alabama Public Service Commission.
Idaho:
Rick D. Youngblood, a retired executive banker and five-term Idaho State Representative, previously Chairman of Appropriations.
Indiana:
Steve Howell, previously Director of Community Affairs for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and engaged in his family farm.
Maine:
John Butera, recently Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at Skowhegan Savings Bank and former Senior Economic Advisor to Maine Governor Paul LePage.
New York:
Richard Mayfield, returning to the role with over 30 years of government experience.
Ohio:
Charles Tassell, with over 30 years in housing and development policy, most recently COO for the National Real Estate Investors Association.
Puerto Rico:
Nelson Albino, from the private sector with executive experience in the healthcare industry.
South Dakota:
Lorraine Polak, with over 30 years in public service in housing and economic development, recently Housing Policy Specialist for U.S. Senator Mike Rounds.
Wisconsin:
Andrew C. Iverson, most recently Executive Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
