People News

Michelle McGinnis was hired as the new section chief of the Agronomic Services Division's Field Services, effective Sept. 9. She assumes the duties of J. Kent Messick, who retired in July.

The Field Services Section consists of a staff of 13 regional agronomists who provide nutrient-management and other consulting services to growers throughout North Carolina.

McGinnis, currently a plant pest supervisor with the Plant Industry Division, will be returning to the division where she served as an agronomist from 2007 through early 2012. In addition to her experience in the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, McGinnis has nine years of private-sector experience in environmental consulting and ornamental-plant production.

Raised in Chambersburg, Pa., McGinnis holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental health from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science Public Health in environmental sciences and engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. in horticultural science from N.C. State University.
She lives in Chatham County with her husband, dog and three cats.