EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University extension District 3 Coordinator Patrick Cudney has been named as the new associate director of operations for MSU extension.

He will replace Michelle Rodgers, who was named associate dean for extension and outreach at the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and director of its Cooperative Extension. Her start date was April 2, 2012, and the associate director for operations position has been vacant since Rodgers left.

Maggie Bethel, interim director of MSU extension, announced Cudney’s appointment last week. "We look forward to having Patrick’s experience and steady guidance during this time of transition and for years to come," said Bethel.

Cudney will report to the director of extension and supervise district coordinators and administrative support units within the director’s office. This includes the organizational development team.

"I think a strength of mine is with operations," he said. "I’ve been with MSU for 18 years. I was in a county director role for four or five years. My real goal is to ensure that MSU extension continues to meet the needs of producers and consumers in the state of Michigan."

Cudney began his career as a 4-H youth educator in Kalkaska County and has continued his leadership by serving as a county extension director in Benzie County, then as regional director in the North Region. He currently serves nine counties in northwestern Lower Michigan.

"Patrick’s thoughtful, positive and high-energy approach makes it easy to see him as a natural leader among his peers and other co-workers," said MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Fred Poston. "He is often asked by MSU extension and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources management to be a sounding board for ideas and initiatives, and he always serves in such capacities enthusiastically.

"I look forward to seeing Patrick taking ownership of his new role."

According to Cudney, the associate director of operations oversees all logistical and business operations that support extension programs. These include budget planning and management, information technology, staff development, human resource management, communications and marketing, program reporting and evaluation, diversity and pluralism and other program support mechanisms.

"Programs are the things you see and associate with extension; operations are all the behind-the-scenes activities that help support the programs," he explained.

Cudney will continue working in his current Traverse City location to transition responsibilities there and train the next District 3 coordinator. A search to fill that position will begin immediately.

Bethel was appointed to her position on May 23 and is expected to remain there approximately six months.

She replaced Tom Coon, extension director for the past decade. Coon was recently named vice president, dean and director for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University.

Bethel, who served as extension director from 2001-05, was invited out of retirement to lead it again on a temporary basis.