Release No. 0451.99
Media Contact: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
susan.mcavoy@usda.gov
Public Contact: La Jaycee Brown (202) 720-9741
ljbrown@rdmail.rural.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced the appointment of James C. Kearney as administrator of USDA's Rural Housing Service (RHS). In his new post, Kearney will oversee distribution of more than $4 billion in loans and grants annually to improve housing and community facilities in the nation's rural areas.
Kearney has worked at USDA for more than 30 years. He served as North Carolina state director for USDA Rural Development from 1993 until 1998.
"Jim Kearney's intimate understanding of USDA's rural economic programs and his love for the land and people of rural America make him an ideal choice for this important position," Glickman said. "There is no more crucial issue in rural America today than ensuring the availability of decent, safe housing."
Kearney began his career with USDA in 1965 as an assistant county supervisor with the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), forerunner agency of USDA Rural Development. From 1980 to 1993, he was an FmHA district director. He then became state director for USDA Rural Development in North Carolina, managing the housing, community facility, infrastructure and business development programs. In 1998 he moved to USDA headquarters in Washington to become special assistant to the under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, and then associate administrator for operations and management with USDA's Farm Service Agency.
"I've seen first-hand over my many years with USDA how our housing programs can help rural Americans fulfill their dreams of homeownership, while creating jobs and demand for new rural businesses and services," Kearney said. "We at RHS have a record to be proud of. Last year we helped more than 67,000 rural Americans purchase or improve their homes, finance the construction of more than 2,100 units of affordable rental housing and built or expanded 620 vital community facilities, including rural schools, libraries, day care centers, police and fire stations. I look forward to doing all that I can to continue this legacy of service to the nation."
In 1993 Kearney received USDA's Superior Service Award for outstanding leadership in equal employment opportunity and civil rights.
Kearney is a U.S. Army veteran and retired Lieutenant Colonel. He has a B.S. degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
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