Basil Gooden

Basil Gooden
Official portrait, 2023
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 4, 2024
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byXochitl Torres Small
3rd Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
In office
September 5, 2016 – January 13, 2018
GovernorTerry McAuliffe
Preceded byTodd Haymore
Succeeded byBettina Ring
Virginia State Director, USDA-Rural Development
In office
May 14, 2014 – September 1, 2016
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byEllen Davis
Succeeded byElizabeth Walker Green
Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
In office
May 22, 2002 – May 14, 2014
GovernorMark Warner
Tim Kaine
Bob McDonnell
Terry McAuliffe
Preceded byGlenn Oder
Succeeded byErik Johnston
Personal details
Born
Basil Ivanhoe Gooden

Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
SpouseSusan Michelle Tinsley
Education

Basil Ivanhoe Gooden is an American governmental executive whose career has advanced equitable food systems, agriculture policy, public health, and community economic development in rural America. Gooden served as the 3rd Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia in the cabinet of Governor Terry McAuliffe. He became the first Black American to serve in this position and during his tenure from September 2016 until January 2018, he was the only Black American Secretary of Agriculture in any state in the United States. In his capacity as Secretary, he provided strategic vision and leadership to two of Virginia's largest private industries, Agriculture and Forestry, with an annual economic impact of $91 billion on the Commonwealth.[1]

Prior to serving as Secretary, Gooden was appointed by then President Barack Obama to serve as the state director for USDA – Rural Development in Virginia. In that position, he served as the chief executive officer of this federal agency that allocated approximately $1.25 billion annually to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginians.

Gooden served for twelve years as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the administrations of four Virginia governors. He was initially appointed to this position by Governor Mark R. Warner and subsequently re-appointed and served in the administrations of Governors Timothy M. Kaine (D), Robert F. McDonnell (R), and Terry McAuliffe (D).[2][3]

In 2017, Gooden was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.[4]

On September 11, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden nominated Gooden to the role of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. If confirmed by the Senate, Gooden would succeed former Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, who left the role upon her confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.[5] On December 6, 2023, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to advance Gooden's nomination for consideration by the full Senate.[6] His nomination was confirmed by voice vote on February 26, 2024.[7]

  1. ^ "Ag-Forestry". ag-forestry.virginia.gov. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "Gooden new state secretary of agriculture and forestry | Richmond Free Press | Serving the African American Community in Richmond, VA". Richmond Free Press. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  3. ^ "Basil I. Gooden selected as Virginia's next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry &middot Industries". Virginia Business. July 7, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  4. ^ Incorporated, Prime. "National Academy of Public Administration". National Academy of Public Administration. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Intent to Nominate Basil Gooden, Ph.D. To Serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development | USDA".
  6. ^ Scott, Dean. "Reporter". Bloomberg Government. Bloomberg. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "PN1015 — Basil Ivanhoe Gooden — Department of Agriculture, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". www.congress.gov. February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.