William P. Dickinson, Jr., Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
William P. Dickinson’s thirty-five year career with state government began in 1972 as a Research Economist with the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs. After assuming successively responsible management positions in the Department of Planning and Budget, Bill joined the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where he has served as the Director of Division Administration, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner. Dickinson also served under Governor Wilder as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
In addition to his position as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Bill serves as treasurer of the National Farm Transition Network and is active in the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs.
Bill graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in Economics and earned an MA in Economics from the University of Virginia. Bill and his wife Barbara live in Hanover County. They have two sons, William III and Andrew, who attend Wake Forest.