Rep. Cleaver’s Rural Policy Director, Kyle Wilkens, Named USDA Rural Development Missouri State Director

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced his long-time Rural Policy Director, Kyle Wilkens, has been appointed by President Biden to be the next U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director. A native of Lafayette County, Missouri, Mr. Wilkens has served on Congressman Cleaver's staff since 2012, handling issues of rural infrastructure, agriculture policy, economic development, and more. Previously, Mr. Wilkens served on the staff of Congressman Ike Skelton from 2002-2011.

"Kyle Wilkens has been an invaluable member of my staff for nearly a decade, serving the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District with the utmost integrity and dedication as my Rural Policy Director," said Congressman Cleaver. "While my staff and I will find it difficult to replace such an integral part of our congressional office, I know that his decades of experience dealing with the most pressing challenges facing rural Missourians—from economic development and infrastructure to agriculture policy—will allow him to flourish in his new position as Missouri's State Director of the USDA's Rural Development programs. I will be forever grateful for Kyle's incredible work over the years, and I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor."

"I've been blessed to serve Lafayette County and rural communities throughout Western Missouri for nearly two decades as a congressional staffer," said Kyle Wilkens. "During that time, I have been fortunate enough to work for, and learn from, men like Emanuel Cleaver and Ike Skelton—leaders who have been a force for good and who demonstrate what public service should look like on a daily basis. Although I will certainly miss working with Congressman Cleaver and his staff, I'm excited about the opportunity to continue my lifelong passion of providing opportunities and improving the lives of rural Missourians in the Fifth Congressional District and beyond."

Mr. Wilkens will officially assume the position of Missouri State Director on December 13.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.