PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2003

CHARLES E. 'SKETCH' RENDLEN III
APPOINTED U.S. TRUSTEE FOR
MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, ARKANSAS

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Charles E. "Sketch" Rendlen III has been appointed United States Trustee for Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas (Region 13), it was announced today by Lawrence Friedman, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees. Rendlen's appointment takes effect June 2, 2003.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Sketch Rendlen as United States Trustee," Friedman stated. "His extensive background in representing interested parties in bankruptcy cases, as well as his management experience, will prove invaluable in this important region."

"I'm looking forward to working for Director Friedman and leading the talented and dedicated staff in each of Region 13's four offices," Rendlen stated. "It is an honor to serve under Attorney General Ashcroft and to assist in carrying out his mandate to eliminate fraud and abuse in the bankruptcy system."

Immediately before his appointment Rendlen was managing partner of the Rendlen Law Firm PC of Hannibal, Mo., a general practice law firm founded in 1901, handling cases in bankruptcy, real estate, alternative dispute resolution and mediation, health law, workers' compensation, and other areas. He has represented trustees, debtors, and creditors in bankruptcy cases ranging from Chapter 7 liquidations to major Chapter 11 reorganizations. He has also regularly performed pro bono legal work for Mark Twain Legal Services and Eastern Missouri Legal Services.

Rendlen is a member of various professional organizations including the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, the Missouri Bar Association's Legal Education Committee, the Council of Workers' Compensation Committee, the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, and the Missouri Bankers Association-Attorneys' Division. He is also active in local community affairs and has served as an officer or board member of numerous organizations including, most recently, Kids' Chance of Missouri, Beth Haven Terrace Inc., and Rotary Club of Hannibal.

Rendlen received his law degree in 1976 from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., where he also did graduate work in Economics and Accounting. He received a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in 1972 from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.

The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices. Region 13 is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., with additional offices in St. Louis, Omaha, and Little Rock.

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