Marlene Elliott Brown - State Director
 

Marlene Elliott Brown was appointed by President George W. Bush on March 14, 2001 as the Delaware/Maryland Director for USDA Rural Development.  In this position, she directs the Rural Development mission for housing, community facilities, business, water and waste loan and grant programs for the states of Delaware and Maryland.

She grew up on a family farm near Laurel, Delaware, graduated as valedictorian of her class at Laurel High School, and subsequently graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College and Salisbury University with a major in Business Administration.

Marlene is a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church near Laurel where she served many years  as Music Director; she currently worships at the Delmar Christian Center where her husband, James Robert Brown, serves as Pastor.  She is a past president of the Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary Club, former vice chairman of the Republican State Committee, a past Honorary Commander at the Dover Air Force Base, a member of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Delmarva Christian High School, and a member of the Delaware Tech Educational Foundation Council.  She is active in numerous other community activities.

Her career in public service began in 1982 when she joined the staff of the late U.S. Senator William V. Roth, Jr.  She became the Senator’s State Director and served with the Senator through the end of his term.  In that role, she was responsible for the Senator’s Delaware offices and staff.  She coordinated constituent relations activities, managed special projects and conferences, and served as community liaison with the public and private sectors.

In nominating her for the post, Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) said, “I have known and worked with Marlene for more than 18 years.  She is dedicated, hard-working, and most importantly knows the issues and the needs of rural Americans and how best to improve their quality of life.”

Marlene was named one of the Outstanding Young Women of American in 1982, was the 1985, Delaware Young Careerist for Delaware Business and Professional Women, in 1993, was inducted into the Delaware Tech Walk of Success, was a 2001, honoree for International Women’s Day, and in 2004, was the first recipient of the William Roth Outstanding Achievement Award, and is the 2007 recipient of the Maryland Friend of Community Action Award.

Marlene and her husband make their home on a family farm near Laurel, Delaware.