The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently created five new regional positions for the department’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) to aid in administering operations and fostering relationships with stakeholders.

The new posts, already filled by USDA, include three FSA state executive directors and two RD state directors, a USDA press release said. 

“We are grateful to have these five individuals serving in these roles at USDA,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “With diverse skills and experiences, each will be an important representative of USDA in their states as we work to improve the lives of the American people and build a better America.”

The FSA state executive directors will be charged with oversight of agency operations and agricultural policy, the release said. They will also be responsible for maintaining stakeholder relationships with customers and other agencies and governments.

Those selected to fill the FSA positions are Dean Schamore for Kentucky, who founded an IT company in 1993; Joseph Aull for Missouri, who worked in the public school system and serves as mayor of Lexington; and John Berge for Nebraska, who is returning to the USDA after serving in several government offices, the release said.

The RD state directors serve as CEO of rural development in their region and are responsible for “carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America,” the release said. They also provide leadership in developing a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

The two selected as RD state directors are Kathleen Williams for Montana, who has a diverse background in the public and private sectors, and Sarah Waring for New Hampshire and Vermont, who most recently served the Vermont Community Foundation, the release said.