RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gov. Terry McAuliffe has picked a new secretary of agriculture and forestry for Virginia.
The Democratic governor said Thursday that Dr. Basil I. Gooden will take over for current Secretary Todd Haymore. Haymore is leaving to become secretary of commerce and trade.
Gooden has been serving as state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development for the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2014.
Prior to that, the Virginia native worked as chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Gooden is from Buckingham County, where his family owned a cattle farm.
