ATHENS, Ga., Oct. 13, 2021 – Following a press release from President Joe Biden announcing the appointment of several regional appointments, the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointments of five Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Directors and seven Rural Development (RD) State Directors.
“These twelve individuals are incredible public servants who have a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural communities across America.”
RD State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of rural development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
Reggie Taylor has been appointed RD State Director for Georgia
Most recently, Reggie Taylor served as the Acting State Director for Georgia for USDA’s Rural Development agency. He joined the agency in 2015 as a Community Economic Development Specialist and prior to joining USDA, Taylor served as City Manager for the City of East Point, GA and was the Executive Director of the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation in Marietta, GA. Taylor holds a Master of Science in Business Management and Organizational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.