Deidre Deculus Robert Appointed Rural Development State Director for Louisiana

President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint nine U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional positions, including three Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Directors and six Rural Development (RD) State Directors.

“Our state offices are on the frontlines of providing critical USDA programs and services,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I am thrilled to welcome these nine talented and dedicated public servants to the team as we continue to build back better for the American people.

RD State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.

A lifelong Louisianan, Deidre Deculus Robert resides on her family’s ranch in Glynn, Louisiana. Most recently, she served as the executive counsel for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Robert previously worked as general counsel of the Southern University and A&M College System, the only HBCU college system in the country, and as an assistant attorney general with the Louisiana Department of Justice. Her legal career began as an assistant city prosecutor in the Parish Attorney’s Office for the City of Baton Rouge-Parish of East Baton Rouge. During her 11 years with the City-Parish, she rose through the ranks to become the first female African American section chief.