(Washington, D.C., May 2, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Director roles.
“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.
FSA State Directors help implement President Trump’s America First agenda and execute the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs through state offices across the country. RD State Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.
Alaska
Eric A. Koan Appointed as State Director, Alaska Rural Development
Eric A. Koan serves as State Director for Rural Development in Alaska. Eric 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.
Alabama
Monica Carroll Appointed as State Executive Director, Alabama Farm Service Agency
Monica 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.
Arizona
Sine Kerr Appointed as State Executive Director, Arizona Farm Service Agency
Sine Kerr serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Arizona. Prior to joining USDA, Sine was first appointed, then elected to the Arizona State Senate serving from 2018 to 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.
Lori Urban Appointed as State Director, Arizona Rural Development
Lori Urban serves as State Director for Rural Development in Arizona. Most recently, Lori served as Small Business Program Manager for Arizona Commerce Authority, assisting businesses across Arizona. Lori, originally from South Dakota, has made Arizona home for over 30 years.
Arkansas
David Branscum Appointed as State Director, Arkansas Rural Development
David Branscum serves as State Director for Rural Development in Arkansas. Most recently, David 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.
Ty Davis Appointed as State Executive Director, Arkansas Farm Service Agency
Ty Davis serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Arkansas. Ty previously served as the State Agriculture Liaison for Senator John Boozman and is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.
California
Bryan Anguiano Appointed as State Director, California Rural Development
Bryan Anguiano serves as State Director of Rural Development in California. Before being appointed to USDA, Bryan 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 elections cycles, including the 2022 midterms, 2024 presidential elections, and the California gubernatorial recall.
Connie Conway Appointed as State Executive Director, California Farm Service Agency
Connie Conway serves as State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency in California, a role she held during President Trump’s first term. She most recently served as chairman of the World Ag Expo, the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition.
Colorado
Sallie Clark Appointed as State Director, Colorado Rural Development
Sallie Clark serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Colorado. Most recently, Sallie served as the Senior Advisor for Government & 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.
Jerry Sonnenberg Appointed as State Executive Director, Colorado Farm Service Agency
Jerry Sonnenberg serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Colorado. In 2022, Jerry 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 families Centennial Farm.
Delaware
Richard Wilkins Appointed as State Executive Director, Delaware Farm Service Agency
Richard Wilkins serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Delaware. A farmer from Greenwood, DE, he previously served as President of the American Soybean Association (ASA) in 2016 and as President of the Delaware Farm Bureau from 2018 to 2022. The Wilkins family produces soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay and maintains a 40 head cow-calf beef herd.
Florida
Marcinda Kester Appointed as State Executive Director, Florida Farm Service Agency
Marcinda Kester serves as the Florida State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Marcinda 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.
MaryAnn Pistilli Appointed as State Director, Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands Rural Development
MaryAnn Pistilli serves as State Director for Rural Development in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her political background includes serving as the Florida State Director for the 2024 Trump presidential campaign and as Deputy State Director for the 2020 campaign.
Georgia
Duncan Johnson Appointed as State Executive Director, Georgia Farm Service Agency
Duncan Johnson serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Georgia. He 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
Bill Graff Appointed as State Executive Director, Illinois Farm Service Agency
William Graff of Middletown, Illinois 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.
Jesus Ortega Appointed as State Director, Illinois Rural Development
Jesus Ortega serves as State Director for Rural Development in Illinois. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Born and raised in the land of Lincoln, Jesus believes it is an honor to serve rural Illinois.
Kansas
Gimmie Jo Jansonius Appointed as State Director, Kansas Rural Development
Gimmie Jo Jansonius serves as State Director for Rural Development in Kansas. A sixth-generation rancher actively involved in production agriculture, Mrs. 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.
David Schemm Appointed as State Executive Director, Kansas Farm Service Agency
David Schemm serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Kansas. David formerly served in this position during the first Trump Administration and has also served as Agricultural Advisor for US Senator Dr. Roger Marshall. David works with his wife, Lisa, and son, Clay on their Western Kansas farm.
Kentucky
Travis Burton Appointed as State Director, Kentucky Rural Development
Travis Burton serves as State Director for Rural Development in Kentucky. Most recently, Travis served as Associate Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kentucky Hospital Association, working with state leaders to improve rural healthcare in the Commonwealth. Travis resides in Garrard County with his wife, Lindsay, a kindergarten teacher, and their young children.
David A. Wayne Appointed as State Executive Director, Kentucky Farm Service Agency
David A. Wayne serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Kentucky. Most recently, David 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.
Louisiana
Craig McCain Appointed as State Executive Director, Louisiana Farm Service Agency
Craig McCain serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Louisiana. Craig served in this same capacity during President Trump's first term. He has devoted his entire working life to the Farm Service Agency and to the customers who depend on these services. In total he has nearly 37 years experience serving Louisiana’s agriculture with the Farm Service Agency.
Massachusetts
Edward Davidian Appointed as State Executive Director, Massachusetts Farm Service Agency
Edward Davidian serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Massachusetts, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. Ed and his family run a fruit and vegetable 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.
Michigan
Joel Johnson Appointed as State Executive Director, Michigan Farm Service Agency
Joel Johnson serves as the State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Michigan, a role he also fulfilled during President Trump's first term. He was most recently a Constituent Relations Representative in the office of Congressman John Moolenaar.
Minnesota
Kurt Blomgren Appointed as State Executive Director, Minnesota Farm Service Agency
Kurt Blomgren serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Minnesota. He 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.
Mississippi
Dane Maxwell Appointed as State Director, Mississippi Rural Development
Dane Maxwell serves as State Director for Rural Development in Mississippi. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He retired from law enforcement and is a successful businessman creating two successful national companies. He was elected as Mayor of his hometown of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and later elected Mississippi Public Service Commissioner serving the southern twenty-seven counties in Mississippi.
Chris McDonald Appointed as State Executive Director, Mississippi Farm Service Agency
Chris McDonald serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Mississippi. Most recently, Chris served as the Director of Federal and Environmental Affairs at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Missouri
Ben Baker Appointed as State Director, Missouri Rural Development
Ben Baker serves as State Director for Rural Development in Missouri. He is a former Missouri State Representative with a focus on government efficiency and public service. 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.
Montana
Mike Foster Appointed as State Executive Director, Montana Farm Service Agency
Mike Foster serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Montana, a position he held 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.
Nebraska
Hilary Maricle Appointed as State Executive Director, Nebraska Farm Service Agency
Hilary Maricle serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Nebraska. Most recently, Hilary served as Deputy Director for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. She and her family own and operate Maricle Family Farms.
Neil Moseman Appointed as State Director, Nebraska Rural Development
Neil serves as State Director for Rural Development in Nebraska. Most recently, Neil served as Agriculture and Energy Policy Director for U.S. Senator Deb Fischer. Neil is a fifth-generation Nebraskan and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Nevada
Alida Ceballos Appointed as State Director, Nevada Rural Development
Alida Ceballos serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Nevada. Most recently, Alida 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
Patrick Suprunowicz Appointed as State Director, New Hampshire and Vermont Rural Development
Patrick Suprunowicz serves as State Director for Rural Development in New Hampshire and Vermont. Raised in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, he 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.
New York
Clark Putman Appointed as State Executive Director, New York Farm Service Agency
Clark Putman serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in New York. Clark returns having previously served as the Farm Service Agency State Executive Director for New York from 2017 to 2021. 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.
North Carolina
Ron Garrett Appointed as State Executive Director, North Carolina Farm Service Agency
Ron Garrett serves as the State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in North Carolina. Most recently Ron served as a County Executive Director for FSA for over 33 years. Ron earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business Management from North Carolina State University.
Robert Hosford Appointed as State Director, North Carolina Rural Development
Robert Hosford serves as State Director for Rural Development in North Carolina, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. In 2003 he was appointed the Chief of Staff for the USDA Farm Service Agency 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.
North Dakota
Tom Campbell Appointed as State Director, North Dakota Rural Development
Tom Campbell serves as State Director for Rural Development in North Dakota. Tom started Campbell Farms with his two brothers. Tom 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 6 grandchildren and values his Christian faith.
Brad Thykeson Appointed as State Executive Director, North Dakota Farm Service Agency
Brad Thykeson serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in North Dakota, a position he held 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.
Oregon
Jim Carmack Appointed as State Director, Oregon Rural Development
Jim Carmack serves as State Director for Rural Development in Oregon. Jim brings a wealth of financial expertise with a 30+ year career on Wall Street in capital markets and sales supervision with a strength in strategic planning. Jim has served in senior positions at investments banks, including Jefferies & Co. and Imperial Capital.
Pennsylvania
Michael Cabell Appointed as State Director, Pennsylvania Rural Development
Michael Cabell serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Pennsylvania. He 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, Michael co-founded a multi-site behavioral healthcare company that serves communities across Pennsylvania.
South Carolina
Jacob French Appointed as State Director, South Carolina Rural Development
Jacob French serves as the State Director for Rural Development in South Carolina. He 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, Jacob served as the Growth and Outreach Manager for Tyler Technologies in South Carolina.
W.R. “Cody” Simpson, III Appointed as State Executive Director, South Carolina Farm Service Agency
W.R. “Cody” Simpson, III, serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in South Carolina. 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.
Tennessee
Patrick Jaynes Appointed as State Director, Tennessee Rural Development
Patrick Jaynes serves as State Director for Rural Development in Tennessee. As Senior Consultant for Nashville-based Jigsaw Consulting, Patrick engaged in local, state, and federal government relations. Prior to his work with Jigsaw, Patrick served for 18 years as Deputy Chief of Staff and State Director with U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander.
Mike Mayfield Appointed as State Executive Director, Tennessee Farm Service Agency
Mike Mayfield serves as the State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Tennessee. Mike 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.
Utah
Stan Summers Appointed as State Director, Utah Rural Development
Stan Summers serves as State Director for Rural Development in Utah. Stan recently completed his third term as a County Commissioner for Box Elder County. During his time as a county commissioner Stan 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.
Vermont
Patrick Suprunowicz Appointed as State Director, New Hampshire and Vermont Rural Development
Patrick Suprunowicz serves as State Director for Rural Development in New Hampshire and Vermont. Raised in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, he 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.
Wendy Wilton Appointed as State Executive Director, Vermont Farm Service Agency
Wendy Wilton serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Vermont. Wendy formerly served as Vermont State Executive Director for FSA 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.
Washington
Kirk Pearson Appointed as State Director, Washington Rural Development
Kirk Pearson serves as State Director for Rural Development in Washington, a position he held during President Trump’s first term. Most recently Kirk 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.
Jon Wyss Appointed as State Executive Director, Washington Farm Service Agency
Jon Wyss serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Washington. Jon was born in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and attended Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to this appointment to the Farm Service Agency, Wyss worked for his wife Melanie’s family company, Gebbers Farms, as an analyst and government affairs director.
West Virginia
John Reisenweber Appointed as State Director, West Virginia Rural Development
John Reisenweber serves as State Director for Rural Development in West Virginia. Most recently, he was a Vice President for the Civil Military Innovation Institute (CMI2). Prior to that, John served as Regional Field Representative for the U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito when she was in the House of Representatives.
Wisconsin
Sandy Chalmers Appointed as State Executive Director, Wisconsin Farm Service Agency
Sandy Chalmers serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Wisconsin. Sandy has served in a number of leadership roles advocating for farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans, and she returns to direct Farm Service Agency operations in Wisconsin. Sandy previously served in executive positions at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Wyoming
Thomas (Tyler) Harrison Appointed as State Director, Wyoming Rural Development
Thomas (Tyler) Harrison serves as the State Director for Rural Development in Wyoming. Most recently, Tyler 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.
###
