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Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 21 January 2021 21 January 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., January 21, 2021 –Long time USDA Rural Development employee Eric Vigil has been named as the agency’s acting state director.  

Vigil is a seasoned employee and has served in many capacities within his 32 years as a public servant. 

In 1989, Vigil became an assistant county supervisor and then ultimately a supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) which ultimately became Rural Development. In these positions he assisted farmers and ranchers with operating loans. In addition, he also managed the residential and home repair loan and grant funding. 

In 1996, he became a state loan specialist for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) Program a division within Rural Development. In this position, he worked with rural entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Indian Tribes to encourage start-up, development, and expansion of small businesses in rural New Mexico. 

Furthermore, he also served in the capacity as Energy Coordinator and Cooperative Development Specialist. 

In 2008, he was promoted to the position of assistant to the State Director where he oversaw program management and strategic initiatives. Further, he controlled the state administrative budget and managed personnel for the state.

In 2018, Mr. Vigil became the associate director assigned to New Mexico under the USDA Rural Development Business Center which is a centralized business hub focused on business administration.

Eric was raised on a small family ranch in Northern New Mexico and continues in his ranching business to this day. Eric currently resides in the Albuquerque area. He holds B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from New Mexico State University.