Kathy Angerer, former state rep, named interim agriculture department director

Carleton native Kathy Angerer, a former three-term Michigan state representative serving Monroe County, was recently appointed interim director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Angerer and several others to posts ahead of her second term as governor.

“With a new term comes new opportunities and challenges. Today’s appointments and promotions will only build on the work that we’ve done over the last four years. We know it won’t be easy, but it will be gratifying when we build a state that enables every Michigander to succeed,” Whitmer said in a news release.

Angerer is currently deputy director of MDARD.

She replaces Gary McDowell, who is retiring after leading MDARD for all four years of Whitmer’s first term. The office works to grow and expand Michigan’s food and agriculture economy.

“Michigan’s rural communities and agriculture sector are crucial for the success of our state, and we appreciate the hard work happening every day at the department to grow the rural economy,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “We also appreciate Gov. Whitmer’s efforts to grow agriculture and invest in the future of our small towns. The department has been, and will continue to be, led by people who have our best interest at heart and can deliver results for rural Michigan.”

Angerer has served the people of the state of Michigan and southeastern Michigan in several roles throughout her career.

She was a state representative from 2005-10. From 2011-12, she was executive director of government affairs at AT&T Michigan. Most recently, she served as the city manager for Hamtramck. She also was Hamtramck’s director of community and economic development as well as its community and governmental affairs director.

Angerer attended Monroe County Community College and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Angerer, former area state rep, named to state position