Haymore excited, humbled at appointment

Pittsylvania County native Todd Haymore expressed excitement Wednesday at being chosen by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell as Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.

Haymore said he was “elated, humbled, honored” when McDonnell offered him the position Monday evening.

“It was a very humbling experience,” Haymore said of the appointment. “I’m honored that he chose me as Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.” 

Haymore, 40, was appointed commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in 2007. He brings a wealth of experience to his upcoming post. Haymore’s career began in 1990 with a brief internship under state Sen. Onico Barker before he went on to work as legislative assistant and communications director for U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne.

After his stint with Payne, he returned to Danville to work for DIMON Inc. from 1998-99. Next, he joined Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, where he worked in executive positions, including corporate director of external affairs and vice president of the Universal Leaf Foundation just before being appointed to his current position under Kaine.

Haymore holds a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

  Though he’s worked for Democrats throughout his career, Haymore says he has always thought of himself as an independent.

“I’ve never considered myself as partisan in either direction,” he said. “I have incredible friends from both sides of the aisle.”

Haymore said he likes to work with both parties to get things done. While commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, he has focused on improving the department’s domestic and international marketing, agribusiness development services and farmland preservation initiatives.

McDonnell said in a prepared statement that he chose Haymore for his “unmatched” experience, background in both the public and private sectors and his grasp of agriculture and forestry not only in Virginia but across the world.

“Todd understands agriculture and forestry from the tobacco fields of Pittsylvania (County) to the international markets of Hong Kong,” McDonnell said in the statement. “That breadth of understanding is crucial to the future success and growth of this industry in Virginia.”

“He has a heart for public service, which he learned growing up ion Pittsylvania,” McDonnell added. “And he has a love of selling the best of Virginia’s products to consumers around the world. He will he a great Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the people of Virginia.” 

Haymore’s father, Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk H.F. Haymore Jr., expressed pride in his son’s achievement and success.

“He’s just been a real good young man from day one,” Haymore said.

Of his son’s appointment, Haymore said, “It was a great day for the Haymore family and, I think, for Southside Virginia.”

As agriculture secretary, Haymore said he will continue trying to find more markets for Virginia’s agricultural and forestry products around the world. He intends to work on agricultural and recruitment projects to attract agricultural enterprises to the state.

In addition, Haymore said he will use the “bully pulpit” to promote preservation of working farmland. Out of 400,000 acres of open space Kaine pledged to preserve, Haymore wants to make as much of it as possible farmland.

Haymore will be sworn into his new position in January. He lives in Henrico County and is married to the former Margaret Cary Lewis of Richmond. They have three daughters: Catharine, Elizabeth and Lillian.