NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506

                                         Release No. 1546.03
                                                
                              Stevin Westcott (202) 720-4178
                                stevin_westcott@wdc.usda.gov

HOFELLER NAMED HEAD OF BUSINESS AND PROGRAM INTEGRATION
     
     WASHINGTON, May 7, 2003 - USDA's Farm Service Agency
(FSA) Administrator  James R. Little today announced the
appointment of Tom Hofeller as Director of the Office of
Business and Program Integration effective April 21, 2003.

     "Tom brings a wealth of experience to the job,
especially in the areas of government, business
administration and information systems," said Little.  "He
will be an excellent addition to the FSA management team." 

     As director, Hofeller will be responsible for working
with other top FSA officials in planning, developing and
administering the agency's programs and policies. 
Specifically, he will provide direction to the areas of
economic analysis, outreach programs and strategic planning,
and will also provide leadership in the agency's eGovernment
initiatives.

     During his career, served as Staff Director on the
U.S. House Subcommittee on the Census and as a staff member
on the U.S. House Committee on House Oversight.  He is the
former Director of Administration of the Partes Corporation,
a software development firm based in Washington state, and
former Vice President of Compass Systems, a computer company
based in southern California.  Hofeller was also the
co-founder and Associate Director of the Rose Institute of
State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College,
Claremont, Calif. He has also served as computer system
director for the Republican National Committee. 

     Hofeller served in the United States Navy from
1965-1969.  In 1970, he acquired a bachelor of arts degree
in political science from Claremont McKenna College.  He
received a doctorate in Government from Claremont Graduate
University ten years later.

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