MDARD director selects Ken McFarlane as chief deputy director

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gordon Wenk has selected Ken McFarlane as the department’s chief deputy director, effective March 26.

McFarlane began working at MDARD in June 2014 as the director of strategy and business performance. He then became deputy director in February 2016 overseeing the administration and operation of the department’s Food & Dairy Division, Laboratory Division, and the Office of Organizational Innovation.

Prior to joining MDARD, he worked in the private sector as a civil engineering consultant on public infrastructure and large land development projects in the Midwest and western United States.

“Ken has been integral in multiple enterprise-wide strategic planning and implementation efforts involving service delivery, employee engagement, sustainable operations, and information technology,” said Wenk.

McFarlane graduated from Trine University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and from the University of Michigan with a master’s degree in Public Administration. He is a registered Professional Civil Engineer in both Michigan and Nevada.