LINK #1: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/12/usda-announces-first-installment-farm-service-agency-and-rural
LINK #2: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/12/president-biden-announces-key-regional-appointments-for-epa-hhs-and-usda/
LINK #3: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/12/statement-agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-confirmation
- Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development
- Reggie Taylor, State Director, Rural Development, Georgia
- Patricia Dominguez, State Director, Rural Development, New Mexico
- Brandon Fewins, State Director, Rural Development, Michigan
- Bob Morgan, State Director, Rural Development, Pennsylvania
- Nivory Gordon Jr., State Director, Rural Development, Alabama
- Reginald Speight, State Director, Rural Development, North Carolina
- Saundra Glover, State Director, Rural Development, South Carolina
Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development
Bio from USDA Website
Before coming to Rural Development, Xochitl was a United States Representative for the fifth largest district in the country. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Xochitl kept a rural hospital from closing its doors, improved constituent access to healthcare over the phone, and helped secure tens of millions of dollars for broadband in New Mexico through USDA’s ReConnect Program. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Xochitl raised the alarm on broadband disparities, serving on Majority Whip James Clyburn’s Rural Broadband Taskforce and as an original cosponsor of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Xochitl helped champion the needs of dairy farmers and sponsored legislation to help local producers and rural communities invest in infrastructure to navigate new markets. Xochitl forged additional bipartisan solutions on the House Armed Services Committee and as chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. Xochitl was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s second congressional district.
The granddaughter of farmworkers, Xochitl Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. She came home from college to work as a field organizer, working in colonias in southern New Mexico. She continued serving rural New Mexico as a field representative for Senator Tom Udall, where she collaborated with local grassroots leaders, business owners, elected officials, and regional and state economic development officials to help communities rebound from the Great Recession. Inspired by Senator Udall’s work on water in the West, Torres Small studied water law and worked closely with rural water utilities. After law school, she returned home to clerk for United States District Court Judge Robert C. Brack. Throughout her career, Xochitl has employed her experience working in vulnerable, rural communities to achieve lasting investments that combat persistent poverty.
Xochitl has a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and an international baccalaureate from Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa. She’s happily married to her husband, New Mexico State Representative Nathan Small.
Nivory Gordon Jr., State Director, Rural Development, Alabama
Gordon has served for over 34 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Alabama, beginning as a Co-op student while attending Alabama A & M University. He has held several positions at USDA Rural Development including Assistant County Supervisor, Construction Analyst, Rural Development Specialist, Area Specialist, and most recently Area Director.
Reginald Speight, State Director, Rural Development, North Carolina
Speight is the District Director for North Carolina U.S. Congressman G.K. Butterfield, overseeing the Congressman’s in-state operations and staff. Speight previously served Congressman Butterfield as Acting Chief of Staff and Director of Economic Development. He has served in numerous senior level management roles in North Carolina including over 20 years of nonprofit management experience, 15 of those years as a Chief Executive Officer.
Saundra Glover, State Director, Rural Development, South Carolina
Dr. Glover is the Distinguished Professor Emerita and adjunct professor in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Glover served for several years as the first Associate Dean for Health Disparities and Social Justice in the Arnold School of Public and directed the School’s Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities research portfolio.
Reggie Taylor, State Director, Rural Development, Georgia
Taylor is the Acting State Director for Georgia’s USDA Rural Development office. He joined the agency in 2015 as the Georgia Community Economic Development Specialist. Prior to joining USDA, Taylor served as City Manager for the City of East Point, GA and was also the Executive Director of the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation.
Patricia Dominguez, State Director, Rural Development, New Mexico
Dominguez is the Santa Fe Office Manager and Field Representative in the Office of Senator Martin Heinrich. In this role, Dominguez connects New Mexico residents and businesses with federal initiatives including the New Mexico USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program. Dominguez’s upbringing in rural northern New Mexico provides her with a unique understanding of the challenges facing rural New Mexico residents.
Brandon Fewins, State Director, Rural Development, Michigan
For over 20 years, Brandon Fewins has served as the Northern Michigan Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. He has extensive experience working with elected officials, community leaders, the USDA and other government agencies on local economic development and rural development initiatives. He is a lifelong resident of the Grand Traverse region and grew up on a centennial farm.
Bob Morgan, State Director, Rural Development, Pennsylvania
Morgan spent 25 years in the investment, insurance and banking arenas. He also worked for 8 years as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for Congressman Matthew A. Cartwright working with community leaders on several major economic development initiatives. As a lifelong Pennsylvanian and a resident of a rural community, he is committed to extending greater access to programs designed to drive investment in rural communities.
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