TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Tuesday announced Jackie McClaskey as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, succeeding Dale Rodman, who stepped down from the position Dec. 10.  
McClaskey, Manhattan, grew up on a small, diversified family farm in Girard.  She has been with the Department of Agriculture since 2011.  She first served as an assistant secretary before being named Deputy Secretary in July of 2013. Before joining the Department of Agriculture served as Assistant Dean of the Kansas State University, College of Agriculture.
“Jackie has been a wonderful asset for the Kansas Department of Agriculture,” Brownback said. “Her extensive broad-based experience, along with her hard work ethic makes me confident she will do an outstanding job.”
Rodman, a native Kansan, has an extensive background in agribusiness and agriculture development.  In January 2011, Governor Brownback appointed him as Secretary of Agriculture.  In May 2012, he was confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. In July 2013, he was elected Chair of the KBA Board of Directors, a position in which he will continue to serve.
“I would like to thank Dale for his dedication and the contributions he made as Secretary,” said Governor Brownback.  “I am grateful for his service to Kansas and to my administration.  Dale’s personal commitment to Kansas agriculture and extensive knowledge of agribusiness has helped grow our agricultural economy.”
Under Rodman’s leadership and at the request of Gov. Brownback, the agency has worked diligently to raise awareness of agriculture across the state.  “We had become an agency relegated to fulfilling our regulatory responsibility,” Rodman said.  “We are now more customer service driven and work hard to serve the needs of farm and ranch families.”
“It has been my honor to be given the opportunity to do this job the past three years.  This was never about me, but my focus has been on doing what is right and best for Kansas agriculture.”