WASHINGTON, July 6, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of Tee Miller as State Director for USDA Rural Development in South Carolina.

"I am delighted that Tee Miller is returning to USDA to lead the Rural Development mission in South Carolina," said Johanns. "His dynamic business background, his leadership experience in government, and his commitment to rural America make him an outstanding member of President Bush's leadership team."

Miller, a South Carolina native, most recently served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Business Liaison in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Prior to that appointment, he had served at USDA as a Congressional Liaison officer from February 2002 to July 2003.

Before joining the Bush Administration, Miller enjoyed a varied and successful business career that included building a successful small business in Greenville, South Carolina and serving as Manager of Market Planning and Strategy for a national wireless communications company. He holds both an undergraduate degree and an MBA from University of South Carolina.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.