​Steve Connelly is currently Deputy Secretary. He was Acting Secretary of Agriculture from Jan. 11, 2023 to Jan. 17, 2023. Prior to his short-term role as Acting Secretary, Connelly served as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumer Services for MDA and has previously served in other roles throughout his career at the department.

Outside of his work at MDA, Connelly has held leadership positions with agricultural organizations including USDA's Farm Service Agency, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and Maryland Farm Bureau. He also holds a degree in Agriculture and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland.

Connelly was born and raised on a dairy farm in Cecil County and currently resides in Rising Sun with his wife, Valerie.