LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder Monday announced the appointment of State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Keith Creagh as director of the state Department of Natural Resources and State Department of Environmental Quality’s Policy and Legislative Affairs Director Jamie Clover Adams as MDARD director.
“Keith is a natural choice to become our next DNR director,” Snyder said. “He has a strong understanding of Michigan’s conservation, economic, and environmental needs, vast experience and ability to bring people together, and a love of our state’s great outdoors that will make for a seamless transition.”
Creagh has extensive management experience, including policy development and strategic planning. He has served as MDARD director since January 2011, and was director of industry affairs for the Neogen Corp. after serving for 30 years within the state department of agriculture. He holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Michigan Technological University and is an avid outdoorsman.
“I am honored to serve as director of the Department of Natural Resources and to work with such a dedicated group of professionals,” Creagh said. “I understand the importance of the state’s natural resources to Michigan citizens. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits are not just hobbies in this state. They are a defining part of who we are as Michiganders.”
Gordon Guyer, former director of both DNR and the Department of Agriculture, called Creagh’s appointment “outstanding.”
“He has a tremendous ability to take a tough issue and build consensus,” Guyer said. “Keith’s passion for our natural resources, tourism, and agriculture industries will help us revitalize and reinvent Michigan.”
Clover Adams has decades of experience both in working with the agriculture industry and in legislative policy development. She was raised on a farm in Michigan, and holds a master’s in public policy from Georgetown University. She remarks that her new position is a great opportunity to support the governor’s agriculture agenda, and she is anxious to get to work.
“We will strive to double our exports, work to significantly increase farm verifications, and help grow the value chain from farm to fork,” she stated.
Snyder said, “Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is one of the most important to our state’s economy, and Jamie has the experience, knowledge, and skills to provide the necessary leadership to assure Michigan food and agriculture continues to play a prominent role in our state’s economic recovery.”
Clover Adams, after having served as the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Policy and Legislative Affairs director since 2011, replaces Creagh.
Creagh fills the vacancy of outgoing DNR director Rodney Stokes, who was recently named by Snyder as special adviser for city placemaking.
Both appointments are effective July 9.
