WASHINGTON, April 10, 2002—Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chairman Jesse L. White Jr. today announced the selection of Clifford H. Jennings as inspector general. Jennings, a longtime member of the federal inspector general community, fills the position previously held by Hubert N. Sparks, who retired April 1 after 42 years of federal service.

"I'm pleased to welcome Cliff Jennings to ARC," said White. "His broad and lengthy experience within the I.G. community will serve as a great asset for the Commission and for our many partners. He assumes a critical position, and I'm fully confident he'll quickly make important contributions in further strengthening the 13-state Appalachian Region."

Jennings started his 24-year federal career with the U.S. General Accounting Office. He has served in the inspector general offices at the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Most recently Jennings was director of the Office of Information Technology Audits at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he had previously served as the special assistant to the inspector general as well as deputy assistant inspector general.

Jennings is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Information Systems Auditor. During his federal career he has received numerous commendations, including an Executive Council on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Excellence. He attended the Federal Executive Institute.

Jennings holds an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in economics from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jennings and his wife, Alexis Stefani, the assistant inspector general for auditing at the U.S. Department of Transportation, reside in Mt. Vernon, Virginia.