Gov.-elect Sanders to maintain Wes Ward as Agriculture Secretary

A variety of adjustments will come when Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders takes workplace at first of subsequent yr, however not less than one factor will stay the identical. Sanders introduced Monday (Dec. 12) that she’s going to reappoint Wes Ward because the secretary of the Division of Agriculture.

“As the present Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward has carried out a superb job rising our largest business and creating relationships with the women and men who work in agriculture, and I’m excited that he’ll proceed on this essential position for our state,” Sanders mentioned. “He’s additionally carried out this work during the last seven years whereas persevering with to serve our nation in uniform, giving credence to his character and dedication. Agriculture is the spine of Arkansas’ economic system, and I’m proud that our hardworking Arkansas farmers, ranchers, growers, and foresters assist feed and provide the state, nation, and world. As governor, we’ll work collectively to make sure that we stay a world chief.”

Ward is serving because the third Secretary of Agriculture for Arkansas. He was appointed to the place in March 2015 by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. He additionally serves because the Second Vice President for the Nationwide Affiliation of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

“I sit up for persevering with to put money into our sturdy, dynamic agriculture business because the Secretary of Agriculture,” Ward mentioned. “Governor-elect Sanders shares my deep appreciation for the way essential agriculture is to our state, and we’ll work collectively to proceed to see it develop to new heights.”

Ward is from Lake Metropolis in Northeast Arkansas and is a graduate of Riverside Excessive College. He earned a bachelor of science diploma in Agricultural Enterprise with an emphasis in Agricultural Finance from Arkansas State College. He additionally earned a regulation diploma (JD), a Grasp of Legal guidelines diploma (LL.M.) in Agricultural and Meals Legislation, and a grasp’s diploma in agricultural economics from the College of Arkansas.

Ward has served within the U.S. Marine Corps for greater than 22 years and has accomplished deployments and workouts in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Japan. He’s serving within the Marine Corps Reserves as a detachment commander with the first Civil Affairs Group in Camp Pendleton, Calif.