WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden announced his intent to appoint leaders to key regional roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Agriculture:

  • Adam Ortiz, Regional Administrator, Region 3, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Debra Shore, Regional Administrator, Region 5, Environmental Protection Agency
  • Lily Griego, Regional Director, Region 8, Department of Health and Human Services
  • Nivory Gordon Jr., State Director, Rural Development, Alabama
  • Reginald Speight, State Director, Rural Development, North Carolina
  • Bobby Etheridge, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, North Carolina
  • Saundra Glover, State Director, Rural Development, South Carolina
  • Laurie Funderburk, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, South Carolina
  • Reggie Taylor, State Director, Rural Development, Georgia
  • Arthur Tripp, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Georgia
  • Patricia Dominguez, State Director, Rural Development, New Mexico
  • Jonas Moya, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, New Mexico
  • Dr. Timothy Boring, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Michigan
  • Brandon Fewins, State Director, Rural Development, Michigan
  • Bob Morgan, State Director, Rural Development, Pennsylvania

These regional appointees will be critical to the President’s efforts to rebuild communities most impacted by the pandemic, the economic recovery, and climate change. They bring deep expertise in their issue areas as well as critical relationships with federal, state, tribal, and local leaders. And, consistent with the President’s commitment to building an administration that looks like America, these regional appointees represent the diversity of American and the communities they serve.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
Regional Administrators lead the EPA’s 10 regional offices around the country, each of which is responsible for the execution of EPA programs within a set of several states and territories. EPA regional offices also ensure the views and needs of each region are incorporated into the formulation of agency and national policy.

Adam Ortiz, Regional Administrator, Region 3, Environmental Protection Agency
Ortiz recently served as Director of Maryland’s Department of Environmental Protection, where he led a $140MM agency and staff of 300. Previously, he was Director of the Department of Environment for Prince George’s County, Maryland, from 2012 through 2018. Ortiz also served in the administration of Governor O’Malley and focused on higher education and veteran affairs.

Region 3 encompasses Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the lands of seven federally recognized tribes in Virginia.

Debra Shore, Regional Administrator, Region 5, Environmental Protection Agency
Shore is currently Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago where she oversees a $1B annual budget a 200-employee workforce. There, she works to protect Lake Michigan and the health and safety of residents and area waterways. Previously, she worked at the Great Lakes Protection Fund where she helped develop new technologies, innovative methods, and practical regional actions to improve the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Region 5 encompasses the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and the lands of 35 federally recognized tribes in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
Regional Directors lead HHS’s 10 Regional Offices that directly serve state and local organizations. Regional Directors ensure the Department maintains close contact with state, local, and tribal partners and addresses the needs of communities and individuals served through HHS programs and policies.

Lily Griego, Regional Director, Region 8, Department of Health and Human Services
Griego most recently serves as Partnership Coordinator for the US Census Bureau, managing the Census Partnership Program in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Griego previously served as Colorado Community Liaison in the office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, where she was responsible for strategic engagement on policy areas including immigration, equality, and health care.

Region 8 encompasses Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 8 Indian Health Service offices also serve several federally recognized tribes in this region.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs in each U.S. State. Its mission is to equitably serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. State Executive Directors oversee this work, ensuring the needs of local constituents are met and that USDA resources are distributed equitably and fairly.

USDA’s Rural Development mission area is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. State Directors lead offices that offer grants, loans, and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services.

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.

Bobby Etheridge, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, North Carolina
Etheridge has served as U.S. Congressman from North Carolina’s 2nd District and as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. While in congress, he served for twelve years on the House Agriculture Committee and for two years as Chairman of the General Farm Commodity and Risk Management Subcommittee. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Etheridge served as State Executive Director of the USDA/Farm Service Director for North Carolina.

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.

Laurie Funderburk, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, South Carolina
Funderburk served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for 16 years, and was Secretary of the South Carolina House Rural Caucus.  Funderburk has over 20 years of experience in the legal, business, and insurance fields. Fortunate to be raised by a farming family, she volunteers with local and statewide organizations that work to improve community health and access to nutrition.

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.

Arthur Tripp, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Georgia
Tripp is currently the District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Bordeaux of Georgia, overseeing and directing the Congresswoman’s in-state operations. Previously, Arthur served as the Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Congressman David Scott, current Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. Tripp managed the Congressman’s Agriculture Committee Assignment, overseeing the legislative process on Agriculture-related issues.

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. 
Jonas Moya, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, New Mexico
Moya is a fourth-generation agriculturist with deep roots in New Mexico. He has spent his career supporting New Mexico’s agricultural industry. Moya most recently served as Executive Director of the New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association (NMCGA), where he led strategic planning and operations while representing the organization as a community spokesperson.  Prior to NMCGA, he was the Civic Engagement & Policy Manager at New Mexico First, where he led the development and implementation of agricultural public policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns through civic engagement efforts. 

Dr. Timothy Boring, State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Michigan
Dr. Boring operates his family’s 6th generation farm in Stockbridge, Michigan, raising a wide variety of grain crops utilizing soil health and regenerative agriculture principles. He is the President and Founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement, an organization dedicated to improving the economic, environmental, and social state of Michigan agriculture.  Dr. Boring has also served on the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development, as Vice President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and as Research Director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.

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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