The Maine Senate unanimously approved Amanda Beal to lead the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Beal’s confirmation rounds out Mills’ 15-member cabinet, which includes eight women, three distinguished veterans and four commissioners who have resumed their former cabinet positions.
“I am pleased the Senate has confirmed Amanda to serve as our next Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry,” Mills said in a statement following Monday’s Senate vote. “With her immense talents, knowledge and experience, she will be an excellent leader for the department and will assemble a team of committed public servants who are good listeners and have a lot of common-sense and a bit of dirt under their nails. I look forward to working with Amanda in the years to come.”
Beal, 46, grew up on a dairy farm and earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Southern Maine. She holds a master’s degree in agriculture, food and environment from Tufts University and is working on her doctorate in natural resources from the University of New Hampshire.
Beal lives in Warren, where she and her husband own a 35-acre farm and are working to establish an orchard with numerous fruit varieties, manage their 25-acre woodlot and establish a creamery for on-farm cheese production.
“After a 14-member search committee worked to recruit the most qualified and well-respected Mainers, I am honored the Senate has confirmed all of my cabinet nominees,” Mills said. “They are experienced individuals who will help usher in an era of new leadership in Maine. From lowering the cost of health care to addressing our workforce shortage, there are many challenges facing our state — but with these challenges also comes the opportunity to chart a new and better course. With the cabinet now in place, I look forward to working with them on behalf of the people of Maine.”
Here are the members of Mills’ cabinet:
Amanda Beal, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Jeanne Lambrew, Department of Health and Human Services
Michael Sauschuck, Department of Public Safety
Randall Liberty, Department of Corrections
A. Pender Makin, Department of Education
Anne Head, Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
Kirsten Figueroa, Department of Administrative and Financial Services
Bruce Van Note, Department of Transportation
Laura Fortman, Department of Labor
Heather Johnson, Department of Economic and Community Development
Judith Camuso, Department of Inland, Fisheries and Wildlife
Gerald Reid, Department of Environmental Protection
Patrick Keliher, Department of Marine Resources
Maj. Douglas Farnham, Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
John Rohde, Workers’ Compensation Board.
Mills will hold a ceremonial swearing-in for members of her cabinet in the Cabinet Room today at 4 p.m.
