Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Deputy Director Leaves Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy

Frankfort, Ky.- The Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy (GOAP) staff will say goodbye to Deputy Director Brian Furnish tomorrow as he leaves to pursue farming a 1000 acre cattle/tobacco farm and other personal businesses.

Brian has been a leader in the effort to diversify agriculture across the Commonwealth. An advocate for farmers through the Agricultural Development Fund process, Brian supported the efforts for projects including beef cattle, to the Kentucky Proud initiative, and Allied Food Marketers.

“It has been a pleasure working for the Agricultural Development Board to help further their agenda for the diversification of Kentucky agriculture,” said Brian Furnish. “The Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund has brought amazing opportunities and successes to producers in the Commonwealth, and I am honored to have been apart of this.”

Keith Rogers, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, also announced the appointment of Timothy D. Hughes, currently with the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, as the new Deputy Executive Director for GOAP, replacing Brian Furnish.

Tim, originally from Franklin, KY, will manage the County Comprehensive Plan Initiative, the Agricultural Development Board Advisory Committees and coordinate efforts on projects between the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC). He will also assist with legislation and other policy matters related to agriculture.

Bill McCloskey was appointed to take the position vacated by Tim Hughes, as Director of Financial Services for the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. Bill has been with GOAP as a project analyst since 2001 and has worked with KAFC, since it moved to GOAP in 2004. His new role will include managing loan portfolios and marketing, communications with lenders, and assist with financial analysis for both ADB and KAFC applications. Bill has M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky and M.B.A. from Bellarmine University.  Bill is a graduate of the Phillip Morris Agriculture Leadership Program and is currently a member of Leadership Kentucky Class 2007. Bill resides in Bardstown with his seven year old daughter, Corby and was recently presented the “Man of the Year” award from the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce in recognition for work done to make the community a better place to work and live.

Kyle Day was appointed to take Bill’s position as a Project Analyst for West Kentucky. Kyle previously was the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Jefferson County. As a fifth generation farmer Kyle continues to help with the family farm in Maysville, KY.  Kyle graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS in Natural Resource Conservation & Management and a MS in Agricultural Economics. Kyle currently lives in Louisville and serves on many boards and committees including the Young Farmers Committee for Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Secretary for the Louisville Agriculture Club, elected Staff Senator for UK College of Ag Cooperative Extension, and a committee member for the Sale of Champions at the North American Livestock Exposition. Kyle was a punter for the University of Kentucky football team from 2000-2003.

Redistricting for counties can be found on our website at http://agpolicy.ky.gov.

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