Secretary Rollins Announces New Slate of Political Appointments

(Washington, D.C., September 19, 2025) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments and state directors for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"Today's new USDA presidential appointments will help carry forward the important work of serving the people who feed and fuel our country, delivering real results for rural America, putting our Farmers First. Together, we will continue to strengthen our food supply, protect our family farms, and ensure USDA is working on behalf of the American people. I welcome this latest group of appointees and look forward to working together," said Secretary Rollins.

Samuel Berry Appointed as Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Samuel Berry serves as the Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He comes from the private sector and has led 0-to-1 software startups for the last decade, focusing on automation and efficiency in slow-moving industries.

Ken Verheyen Appointed as Senior Advisor, U.S. Forest Service

Ken Verheyen serves as Senior Advisor for the U.S. Forest Service. Ken spent over 40 years building a values-driven, industry-leading, world-class technology service company. Leveraging his operational expertise, Ken led the company to build a strong reputation of excellence in customer service and innovation across the life science, aerospace, food and beverage, and multiple government sectors. Ken is an avid outdoorsman and enthusiastically supports responsible stewardship of our amazing national forests.

Layne Bangerter Appointed as Senior Advisor, U.S. Forest Service

Layne Bangerter serves as Senior Advisor for the U.S. Forest Service. Layne created and operates a successful farm and ranch operation in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. He previously worked on the first Trump campaign and in the Administration, serving at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Deputy Associate Administrator, and later serving at USDA as the Idaho Rural Development State Director. Layne has an extensive federal service résumé and policy experience, having worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA-APHIS, and 14 years with the U.S. Senate. He holds a degree in Wildlife and Range Resource Management from BYU.

Monica Mason Appointed as Senior Advisor, Rural Housing Service of Rural Development

Monica Mason serves as Senior Advisor with the Rural Housing Service of Rural Development. With decades of relational experience in the DC metro area, Monica comes from the private sector with a synergistic background of financial services, real estate, marketing, and media, where she led teams focused on creating customized solutions for individuals and businesses toward long-term growth and gain. Monica earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The American University School of International Service.

Steve Messeh Appointed as Director, Center of Faith

Steve Messeh serves as the Director of the Center of Faith at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Steve previously worked as a government consultant for a variety of agencies and departments for both KPMG and Deloitte. Most recently, Steve was a founder and the Executive Director of a DC-based nonprofit organization where he focused on finding new and innovative solutions to meet some of the greatest challenges in our world today for vulnerable populations in order to bring hope to those most in need.

Ted Hanson Appointed as Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary for Administration

Ted Handson serves as Chief of Staff for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. Hanson joins USDA with extensive experience in logistics, security management, and event planning from his time as the North Dakota Governor's Residence Manager. Hailing from the Badlands of southwestern North Dakota, he brings a deep understanding of rural life and agricultural communities from his family's fourth-generation commercial cow/calf operation.

Joyce White Appointed as State Director, Georgia Rural Development

Joyce White serves as State Director for Rural Development in Georgia. Joyce brings extensive experience in rural Georgia, first working in Governor Sonny Perdue's administration and then as Chief of Staff with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and later serving as State Director for U.S. Senator David Perdue. Joyce was appointed to the position of State Director, Rural Development, Georgia, during the first Trump Administration and is looking forward to returning to serve in this capacity for a second term.

Richard "Buddy" Nichols Appointed as State Executive Director, Hawaii Farm Service Agency

Richard "Buddy" Nichols serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Hawaii, Guam, and America Samoa. Buddy formerly served as the Farm Loan Chief for the Pacific Basin Farm Service Agency before becoming the Agricultural Loan Division Administrator for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Buddy was raised on a value-added dairy farm in Colorado which he operated until he turned it over to his daughters and joined the USDA team. Buddy has served on numerous community, state, and national boards including the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Maui County Ag Park, and 4-H Fair Board.

Wade Lee Appointed as State Director, Hawaii Rural Development

Wade Lee serves as State Director for Rural Development in Hawaii. Wade was raised in the Panaewa Farm lots in Hilo, Hawaii, received a degree in biology from the University of Hawaii, and attended graduate school at Colorado State University. Most recently, Wade was working on establishing for-profit industries focusing on Hawaiian natural resources and ecosystem expansion, in addition to running several successful companies on the island of Hawaii, and serving as a Board Member on several non-profits, including Hawaii Forest Institute and Hawaii Forest Association.

Mike Sexton Appointed as State Director, Iowa Rural Development

Mike Sexton serves as State Director for Rural Development in the state of Iowa. Mike is a fourth-generation Iowa family farmer. Recently, he served in the Iowa Legislature, where he was elected to several leadership positions by his House colleagues, including the Chair of the Iowa House Agriculture Committee. Mike has served on various boards and committees at the local and state levels.

Ronald Russell Appointed as State Director, Missouri Farm Service Agency

Ronnie Russel serves as State Director for the Farm Service Agency in Missouri. Originally from Richmon, MO, Ronnie has farmed corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, in addition to operating a cow/calf operation and retail commercial fertilizer business. He recently served on the board of directors for the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Missouri Soybean Association Board of Directors, and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, and has been involved in his local community, serving on the Ray County Hospital Board of Trustees and on his local extension council.

Bill Warden Appointed as State Director, Montana Rural Development

Bill Warden serves as State Director of Rural Development in Montana. Bill was raised in Montana, served in the US Army, and graduated from Montana State University. Bill comes from the private sector in Electronics Retail sales and was a State Legislator.

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