For Immediate Release
August 3, 2007

HABBO G. FOKKENA IS REAPPOINTED AS U.S. TRUSTEE

FOR IOWA, MINNESOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND NORTH DAKOTA

            WASHINGTON, D.C.–Habbo G. Fokkena has been reappointed by the Attorney General as United States Trustee for Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota (Region 12), the Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees announced today.

            “Since his initial appointment, Mr. Fokkena has worked closely with the Executive Office on a number of major issues, while making significant improvements in Region 12,” Director Cliff White stated. “He has substantially improved the administration of consumer bankruptcy cases in his region, and has effectively implemented the reforms mandated by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.”

            Mr. Fokkena was first appointed as U.S. Trustee for Region 12 in May 2002. While serving in that region, he also served as U.S. Trustee in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming (Region 19) for an interim period. Prior to his appointment as U.S. Trustee, Mr. Fokkena was a sole practitioner and a chapter 7 panel trustee administering bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Iowa. He also was a city attorney and county attorney, and he served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Fokkena received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

            The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices. Region 12 is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with additional offices in Des Moines, Minneapolis, Minn., and Sioux Falls, S.D.

Contact:          Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer

                       Executive Office for U.S. Trustees

                       (202) 305-7411

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