Todd Lindsey
Acting Under Secretary
September 8, 2025, Todd Lindsey began his service as the Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Lindsey has worked in the structured finance industry, founding and operating companies across various asset classes.
Joe Gilson
Deputy Under Secretary
Joe Gilson serves as Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. Gilson joined the Trump Administration in March 2025 as Chief of Staff at USDA Rural Development, where he provided management and analytical support to the Under Secretary.
Robert Hosford
Director of State Operations
Robert Hosford serves as Director of State Operations for Rural Development. Hosford most recently served as USDA Rural Development State Director for North Carolina, a position he also held during President Trump's first term.
George Kelly
Administrator for the Rural Housing Service
George Kelly serves as Administrator of the Rural Housing Service (RHS) in Rural Development. George spent the majority of his career as a commercial real estate developer with Hines Interests Limited Partnership.
Victoria Collin
Acting Administrator for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Victoria Collin has spent her career leading policy and programs that help Federal agencies drive results and center the voices of people they intend to serve.
Karl Elmshaeuser
Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service
Karl Elmshaeuser serves as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) in Rural Development. Elmshaeuser most recently served as the Executive Director for the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
John Greene
Chief Operating Officer
John Greene serves as Chief Operating Officer for USDA Rural Development, where he oversees operations across Financial Management, Information Technology, Human Resources, Procurement, and Enterprise Services.
State Leadership
State Directors play a critical role in helping Rural Development focus on locally driven, community economic development strategies that build on the diverse assets and needs of rural places throughout America. Each state including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is led by an appointed State Director, and in a few cases adjoining states are led by a single State Director.