A new Director of the Department of Agriculture has been confirmed

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - After nearly two years, Paul Brierley has been confirmed as the new Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

"You know ultimately, what drives me is keeping agriculture viable," Brierley says.

As the director he will oversee many things like inspections, licensing, and ensuring that both the food and workers are safe.

Brierley has worked for several years in Yuma at the University of Arizona working with the agriculture industry while also having a degree in engineering.

He shares how he has already helped improve the AG industry.

"We've been building up that program where we do more training, without a regulatory aspect just training of the industry on food safety, and air quality, and pesticide use, and things like that," Brierley said.

Meanwhile, Mike Pasquinelli, the president of the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association supports the confirmation but has some advice for Brierley.

"Just as a recommendation, just keep listening to your constituents and to the industry, and lead by what may be needed but listen to all different sides of an argument," Pasquinelli says.

Brierley says Yuma agriculture is doing great things and wants to work to continue to improve the industry locally.

"We're all going to work together, and you know, try to improve that so that over time they stay a viable option because they are really a necessity for our whole country and beyond to provide those winter vegetables and the other things they do," Brierley said.

He also says that he brings an agricultural perspective to cabinet meetings and policy decisions that are made by the governor and other state agencies.