By KEVIN WALKER

Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gordon Wenk has announced the selection of James Averill as his deputy director.

The appointment of Averill, an employee with the department since 2009, was made effective May 21. He began his career with MDARD as the bovine tuberculosis eradication program coordinator. In June 2011, he became the animal industry division director, and then added the role of state veterinarian to his duties two years later.

Averill will continue his role as the state’s chief vet.

“James’ passion for the agricultural industry, coupled with his leadership experience, made him an ideal fit for this role. I look forward to his advocacy for growth within Michigan’s food and agriculture industry,” Wenk said.

Averill received his bachelor’s degree in veterinary science from Michigan State University in 1999 and his DVM in 2001, also from MSU. He returned to the school to work on a PhD in epidemiology in 2002 and completed it in 2009. He lives in Webberville with his wife, Donna.

“I take it to be an honor and a privilege to be appointed as deputy director of MDARD,” Averill said in an interview. “I look forward to continuing to serve the food and agriculture industry in Michigan in my new role.”

The four main division heads at MDARD will report to Averill, with him reporting to newly appointed Chief Deputy Director Ken McFarlane. Averill said his new role will put him in a number of policy-level decisions involving the department.

His appointment was set into motion by the announcement in February that then-MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams had accepted a position with the USDA. She had been director since July 2012. Prior to that she worked in various governmental leadership roles for 25 years, including in the Michigan Senate, and as director of the Kansas Department of Agriculture from 1999-2003. Her resignation was effective March 3.

Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Wenk director of MDARD later that month. Moving into the chief deputy director position was McFarlane, effective March 26. He had been the deputy director since February 2016 and has been with MDARD since 2014.

Wenk has been an employee at MDARD for more than 35 years and had served as chief deputy of the department since June 2008. Prior to that he worked as director of MDARD’s environmental stewardship division. He is also a graduate of MSU.

MDARD’s livestock depredation Program Manager Jim Bowes has stepped in to fill the role of animal industry division director on an interim basis, according to department spokeswoman Jennifer Holton. The department has posted the position and will schedule interviews.