USDA APPOINTS MIKE NERUDA AS DEPUTY UNDER SCRETARY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2001--Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the appointment of Michael E. Neruda as the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development.

"I'm extremely pleased with the experience that Mike brings to the USDA team," said Veneman. "He will be an asset to the Department as it strategically plans rural development policy for the new century."

Neruda, a native of rural Nebraska, brings extensive knowledge of agricultural and management issues to USDA as a result of his many years of service for the U.S. Congress and USDA. During his years of congressional service, he worked for a number of U.S. Senators and Members of Congress and served as the staff director for the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Resource Conservation and Credit. Neruda also served during the previous Bush Administration as the Executive Assistant to then Agriculture Secretary Edward Madigan where he provided direction and guidance on field structure and management issues

Neruda, a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve, received the Bronze Star for his service on active duty during Operation Desert Storm. After the war he was chosen to return to the USA with General Norman Schwarzkopf to manage all aspects of the General's participation in public events. He is a father of two children, Michael and Stephanie, and holds a bachelor of science degree in general agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master of arts degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma. Neruda currently resides in Bethesda, Md.

USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.