Killian new Arizona Department of Agriculture directorKillian new Arizona Department of Agriculture director

Mark Killian was appointed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey April 10 as the new director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA).

Killian succeeds Don Butler who retired as ADA director in 2013.

In announcing the state’s new agriculture chief, Governor Ducey said, “Mark brings decades of unique public service and private sector experience, and his extensive and successful background in farming and ranching will be hugely valuable in this role. He’s a welcome addition to this department and our administration.”

Since 2010, Killian has served on the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). He is the current ABOR chairman and previously served as the vice chairman and treasurer.

Killian’s ADA appointment received thumbs up from the Arizona Farm Bureau (AZFB), the Grand Canyon State’s largest farm organization.

“Mark brings a true depth of agriculture knowledge and experience to the Department of Agriculture," said AZFB President Kevin Rogers.

The Arizona agriculture industry will have a solid professional at the helm of this important agency, Rogers says, due to Killian's experience in Arizona agriculture and a good understanding of the issues facing farmers and ranchers today.

Previously, Killian was the director of the Arizona Department of Revenue and served 14 years in the Arizona State Legislature where he was the Speaker of the House and the House Majority Leader.

Killian has been a licensed commercial real estate broker for 32-plus years, specializing in the management of commercial real estate. He also is involved in family farming and ranching enterprises, overseeing the stewardship of 1,700 acres of Arizona farm land.

He is the current chairman of the Green Reservoir Flood Control district and the Santa Cruz River Alliance. 

In 1981, Killian earned his Bachelor's Degree in business administration from Arizona State University.