David Baker to lead local USDA Rural Development agency

President Joe Biden recently announced the appointment of David Baker to serve as USDA Rural Development director for Delaware/Maryland.

Baker served for more than 33 years in local government with Delaware’s Sussex County as its finance director and county administrator.

During his tenure, Baker became very familiar with USDA’s grants programs through projects he helped facilitate. One of those projects, the West Rehoboth Sewer project, became the second-largest project funded by USDA at the time of its implementation.

He also has economic development experience in helping businesses prosper in a rural area, and has served on various nonprofit organization boards and assisted them with Rural Development funds for their projects in Sussex County.

As state director, Baker hopes to ensure the rural communities of Delaware and Maryland are well positioned to benefit from the programs Rural Development and USDA have to offer. This will improve economic opportunities as well as enhance the environment and living conditions, which will help these communities prosper.

Baker is a lifelong Delaware resident and graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and sociology. He received his master’s in business administration from Wilmington College.