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Nicole Barnes

Nicole Barnes

Acting State Director for Mississippi

Nicole Barnes brings 32 years of leadership experience to her role as Mississippi’s Acting State Director and Deputy State Director for USDA Rural Development. Nicole began her career with Rural Development, where she has worked tirelessly to ensure rural Mississippians are afforded the same opportunities as their more urban counterparts. 

Nicole has worked in several capacities: Assistant County Supervisor, County Supervisor, Area Specialist, Area Director, Community Programs State Office Loan Specialist, and Community Programs Director, before being promoted to her most recent position of Deputy State Director for Mississippi.  Over the span of her career, Nicole has helped to improve the quality of life in Rural Mississippi by helping support essential public facilities and services such as water and wastewater systems, housing, rural health clinics, and emergency services facilities. 

Nicole is a graduate of Alcorn State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  She is married to James Barnes, and they have two daughters.