TOPEKA, Kan. — President Joe Biden has announced the appointment of Christy Cauble Davis to the position of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas. Davis's appointment was one of five announced last week that also included similar positions in Louisiana, Montana, Utah and Texas.
“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,” the White House said in a press release. “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 America and the communities they serve.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also weighed in on the appointment in a separate release this week from the USDA.
“Here at USDA, we continue to add experienced and talented individuals to our state offices,” said Vilsack. “I have full confidence that Christy Davis will add knowledge and leadership to the dedicated team at Rural Development.”
Rural Development state directors serve as the chief executive officer of USDA Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of USDA Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America, the USDA said in a press release.
In conjunction with the guidance and support of the Rural Development National Office, state directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
Davis is a fifth-generation Kansan who has dedicated her career to serving and strengthening Kansas communities, the USDA release said. For more than two decades, Davis has facilitated statewide projects and programs that have generated billions of dollars in economic impact. She has served as legislative chair for the Kansas Downtown Development Association and on the board of the Chase County Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Davis served as Executive Director of Symphony in Flint Hills.
In line with her passion for strengthening communities, in 2016, Christy and her husband Luke adopted a historic building in Cottonwood Falls and transformed it into an award-winning laundromat. In 2019, the couple rehabilitated a historic bank building to create new housing and a bookstore. When she is not working, Davis enjoys participating in community events, hiking, swimming, reading and spending time with her 10-year-old son.
