I am pleased to announce the selection of Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty as Director of County Cooperative Extension effective Oct. 1. Lynn has served a 50% assignment as interim Director of County Cooperative Extension since David Bunn retired in September 2022 and 50% Director of our statewide 4-H Youth Development Program.
The Director of County Cooperative Extension position was created to provide leadership to the county office administration. The direct supervision of county director positions is something that we take very seriously and Lynn, who served as a county director for seven years, has and continues to provide the highest possible levels of guidance and oversight for our county offices and programs. Her vast experience with the land-grant system and her knowledge of ANR operations make her more than qualified to serve as the Director of County Cooperative Extension. I have absolute confidence in her abilities to lead in our organization.
While the 4-H leadership position is under recruitment, Lynn will serve as interim Statewide 4-H Director with continuing assistance from Keith Nathaniel and Steven Worker, who each have 25% Interim Assistant 4-H Youth Development Program Director roles.
Lynn is also serving as the Healthy Families and Communities Strategic Initiative Leader until a new leader is chosen to begin on Nov. 1.
Please join me in congratulating Lynn on her new leadership role.
Brent D. Hales
Associate Vice President for Research and Cooperative Extension