USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES NEW GLADSTONE AREA DIRECTOR

EAST LANSING, Oct. 8, 2008 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director for Michigan Gene DeRossett today announced the appointment Don Gerrie, Jr. as Area Office Director for the Gladstone Area Office following the retirement of Dennis Maufort.

“Don is a lifelong resident of the U.P. and has done great work in our Sault Ste. Marie office,” said DeRossett.  “He will continue to build on our great relationship with communities across the Upper Peninsula.

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Gerrie has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Alma College and has served as the manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Rural Development office for five years.  He also has 12 years of banking experience in Northern Michigan.

Gerrie was elected to Sault Ste. Marie City Commission in 2007, is president of the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and is a board member of Le Sault de Sainte Marie Historic Sites, Inc.  He will supervise USDA Rural Development programs throughout the area, including the Sault Ste. Marie Sub-Area Office.

He succeeds Dennis Maufort, who retired effective Oct. 6, 2008, after 38 years of service with the agency.

“Dennis was an inspiration and we are profoundly grateful for his many years of service,” DeRossett said.  “I know that our Gladstone staff will continue to uphold the standard of excellence he helped to instill.”

Over the past year, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $60 million in Upper Peninsula housing, community facilities, emergency equipment, water and waste infrastructure, business opportunities and education.  Total USDA Rural Development investment in Michigan last year totaled more than $450 million.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity, liquidity, and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.

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