Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
dan.campbell@usda.gov

LEONARD HARDY RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2000--Leonard Hardy, Jr., USDA Rural Development deputy administrator for operations and management, today received the Presidential Rank Meritorious Executive Award in a ceremony in Washington, D,.C.

"These individuals represent the highest caliber of leadership in American government," Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said in presenting awards to Hardy and 12 other winners. "I am proud of the contributions that each has made to the American people through their service here at USDA."

Hardy received the award "in recognition of his outstanding leadership in directing and managing all administrative management functions of USDA Rural Development," according to his nomination. "His leadership and management skills have resulted in outstanding achievements in the areas of civil rights, human resources, information management, financial management, and acquisition management," Glickman said.

"It has been a great privilege to spend my career at USDA, working to improve the economy and living conditions of rural Americans everywhere," Hardy said as he accepted the award.

A native of Enfield, N.C., Hardy has served with USDA for more than 35 years. He began his career as a soil conservationist with USDA's Soil Conservation Service in Edenton, N.C.. Since that time, he has worked as a contract specialist, equal opportunity coordinator, personnel officer, and director of the Farmers Home Administration's (FmHA) Organization Management and Training Division. Before assuming his current position in June of 1993, he was director of FmHA's policy analysis staff.

The Presidential Rank Award Program recognizes and rewards career Senior Executive Service (SES) members who have demonstrated exceptional performance over an extended period of time. The Meritorious Executive Award is limited to no more than 5 percent of career SES members for sustained accomplishment.

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