KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
MANHATTAN–Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey announced Friday Susan Metzger and Josh Roe have been hired to fill the positions as assistant secretaries for the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA).
“We are excited to have Susan and Josh accept these roles on the executive team,” said McClaskey. “They each bring innovation and expertise that will be extremely valuable when working through challenges. Their work ethic, dedication to serving Kansans and desire to move our agency forward is evident. I look forward to working closely with them as we serve our farm and ranch families and agribusinesses and Kansas consumers,” she said.
Metzger, a native of Virginia, most recently has served as the Chief of Planning and Policy at the Kansas Water Office (KWO). She has held that role since 2003. Prior to joining the KWO, she served as the manager of the environmental section of a land development and engineering firm in Chantilly, Virginia. She has a B.S. in Biological Sciences/Botany from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia and a M.S. in Biological Sciences from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Roe, a native of Republic County, Kansas, has most recently served as the staff economist for KDA. He joined the agency in 2013. From 2005-13, he worked in KSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics. His research and Extension activities included water quality and quantity, agricultural finance, farm management and bio fuels. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from K-State and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Iowa State.
The two positions being filled were most recently held by Erik Wisner and Jake Worcester.
Wisner has accepted a position as executive director of the Kansas Real Estate Commission in Topeka. His last day will be February 13.
Worcester has been named as the President/CEO for the Kansas 4-H Foundation, and will be working with a staff in Manhattan to support this outstanding youth organization. His last day in the office will be March 4.