PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2004

SARA L. KISTLER APPOINTED ACTING U.S. TRUSTEE

IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Sara L. Kistler has been appointed Acting United States Trustee for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California and the District of Nevada (Region 17) for an interim period effective January 9, 2005, it was announced today by Lawrence Friedman, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees. Ms. Kistler will replace William T. Neary, U.S. Trustee for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas (Region 6), who has served in addition as U.S. Trustee for Region 17 since July 2002.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Kistler was Acting Deputy Director in the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees in Washington, D.C., where she has also served as Acting Assistant Director for Research and Planning/Review and Oversight. Before being detailed to the Executive Office, Ms. Kistler had served as Assistant U.S. Trustee for the Program's Tampa office since 1991. Ms. Kistler received her law degree cum laude from Stetson University College of Law; a Master of Sciences degree from Indiana State University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.

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. Region 17 is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Las Vegas, and Reno.

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