Agriculture Secretary Appoints Steve Connelly to Assistant Secretary

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder has promoted Steve Connelly to Assistant Secretary of Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumer Services, effective November 1. He will replace S. Patrick McMillan who is retiring on October 30 after serving MDA for nearly 30 years in various capacities.

“We are pleased to make this appointment,” said Secretary Bartenfelder. “Steve is well known to employees and the agricultural community as a whole. He has an immense depth and breadth of knowledge about agriculture that will serve the department as we work to change Maryland for the better.”

Prior to this appointment, Connelly served as MDA’s Marketing Specialist for Crop Insurance to promote and manage the targeted states grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency. Previously, Connelly was a partner in the Capstone Group-NCH, a firm providing association management and government relations services. His career includes leadership roles with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and Maryland Farm Bureau. He earned a degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland. Connelly resides in Rising Sun with his wife Valerie.

“I am honored and excited to take on this new opportunity,” said Connelly. “I look forward to helping the department advance the administration’s priorities as we work to promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.”

The Office of Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumer Services includes a wide range of programs including: Marketing and Agribusiness Development, Food Quality Assurance, Animal Health, Weights and Measures, Horse Industry Board, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and Maryland Agricultural Fair Board.

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