Rodney Miller has been named director of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Office of Advancement and External Affairs, which coordinates the college’s fundraising and alumni relations.

“Rodney has a long history in agriculture and business,” said J. Scott Angle, CAES dean and director. “He brings unique skills and contacts to the college. While our development office has been very successful in the past, we believe there is opportunity there for even greater success, and Rodney is the right person to get us there.”

Miller replaces Rob Cooper, who left the college in July to become executive director of the National FFA Foundation.

Miller was born into agriculture in Benton, Ill., where he still operates a 1,400-acre row-crop farm. He has a small farm in Buford, Ga., which includes a corn maze, and a small farm in Athens, Ga.

He serves on the Georgia FFA Sponsor Board, the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum Board of Directors. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

His professional career includes positions at several tractor companies. Most recently, Miller was CEO of McCormick International USA in Duluth, Ga. He also was CEO for Montana Tractors and worked in management for Valtra, Long and Mahindra tractor companies.

Because of his vast experience, Miller is considered an expert on trends in the agriculture industry. He is currently developing a national TV show called “Inside the Barn,” which will feature agriculture in the Southeast, antique tractors, women in agriculture and a farm-to-table food segment. The show will air later this year on RFD-TV.

Miller, his wife Kendra and their three children live in Athens.