Eric Vigil

Serving as the Deputy State Director for USDA Rural Development in New Mexico, Eric Vigil is a seasoned employee and has served in the many capacities within his 35 years as a public servant. As Assistant County Supervisor and then Supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration, he had the opportunity in assisting farmers & ranchers with operating loans.  In addition, he also managed the residential and home repair loans/grants.  In 1996, he was promoted to a State Loan Specialist for the Business & Cooperative Programs branch of Rural Development.  In this position, he worked with rural entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Indian Tribes within the business climate of New Mexico to encourage the start-up, development, and expansion of small businesses in rural New Mexico.  Furthermore, he also served in the capacity of Energy Coordinator and Cooperative Development Specialist. 

In 2008, he was promoted to the position of Assistant to the State Director and has had the opportunity to serve as the Acting State Director where he oversees program management and strategic initiatives.  Further, he controlled the state administrative budget and managed personnel for the state.

In 2018, Mr. Vigil was made the Associate Director assigned to New Mexico under the USDA Rural Development Business Center which is a centralized business hub focused on business administration.   In 2022, Mr. Vigil was named to the Deputy State Director where he provides leadership and guidance to senior staff in administering, monitoring and evaluating various programs to assure compliance with Rural Development program policies and the public assistance applicable to the overall State program.

Eric was raised on a small family ranch in Northern New Mexico and continues to this day. Eric currently resides in the Albuquerque area.  He holds B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from New MexicoState University.