WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2005- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of Eldon Gould as administrator of USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA).

"Eldon Gould's experience at local, state and national levels of agriculture policy and his personal history of agricultural production make him well qualified to guide the Risk Management Agency into the future," said Johanns. "His proven willingness to represent the best interest of America's farmers and ranchers along with his comprehensive experience in agriculture fits very well with the agency's mission and goals.

As RMA Administrator, Gould will also serve as the manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board in its role as both regulator and reinsurer of the crop insurance industry. RMA is charged with implementing the crop insurance program in a timely and farmer-friendly way, evaluating new products and promoting risk management strategies.

Gould's career in the private sector includes managing his 1500-acre family farm and 700-sow farrowing unit in Illinois. He has served the agricultural community throughout his career as a member of the boards of directors for the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the U.S. Grains Council Board, the U.S. Meat Export Federation Board, the Advisory Board for the University of Illinois Departments of Agricultural Entomology and Crop Sciences and many others. He has a long history of involvement with leadership building organizations such as the 4-H.

He earned the Master Farmer Award by Prairie Farmer Publications, the Superior Pork Producers Award from Illinois Pork Producers, the World of Corn Award by Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award. Gould holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois, Champaign and completed the Top Executive Producers' Agricultural Program at Texas A&M University.

A native of Illinois, Gould and his wife Sandra have three children and six grandchildren.