Agriculture Commissioner Whitcomb Appoints New Deputy Commissioner

Augusta, Maine - Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, commissioner-designee for the new Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, announced today that he is appointing Ed Meadows as his deputy commissioner of operations and administration.

Meadows, now of Holt, Mich., is a former commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation and former director of the Maine Bureau of Public Lands. He most recently held senior executive positions with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, overseeing the administration of 4.9 million acres of land.  In that capacity, he has undertaken restructuring of department and state government reorganization. He also has worked successfully to create new initiatives for funding and marketing services.

Meadows was Conservation commissioner in Maine from 1988 to 1995 during the McKernan Administration. During that period, he developed cost-saving initiatives, including the consolidation and restructuring of programs, and he also established partnerships with industry, non-profit and community organizations.

“I’m excited about returning to Maine and being involved in creating our new department,” Meadows said. “This is an important opportunity to ‘imagineer’ a stronger foundation to Maine’s vital forestry, agricultural and outdoor recreation economies. I am honored to be part of this initiative.”

Under legislation passed during the 125th Legislative Session, the new Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (MDACF) will be formed as of August 30, 2012. The new department will have 732 full-time and seasonal employees and have a budget of $96.5 million.

“We are very excited about Ed Meadows coming on board in August to help direct the new ACF department, which is focused on land-based resources,” Commissioner Whitcomb said Friday. “Ed brings with him extensive experience. He will be a great complement to teams now in both the Agriculture and Conservation departments.”

“Mr. Meadow’s background in both forestry and conservation issues will make him an asset to the consolidation effort and integral to the integration of the two departments.  I am very pleased that he has decided to assist with this important endeavor,” said  Governor LePage.

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/acf