Contact:Tim McNeilly, (202) 690-0498
tmcneill@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

USDA APPOINTS BILL ALLEN TO HEAD RURAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN ALASKA

     WASHINGTON, May 18, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today appointed Bill Allen as the Alaska State Director for USDA Rural Development.

     Allen, from Fairbanks, Alaska, is the General Manager of Doyon Properties, Inc. where he has been employed since 1997. Prior to 1997, he owned and served as President of Allen-Taylor, Inc., a residential and commercial property management company in Fairbanks. Allen is the former Mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough (1982-85) and served as the Commissioner of Administration for the state of Alaska (1976-79).

     Allen is active in his local community and is a member of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors, the Board of the Resource Center for Parents and Children Foundation, and the Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board. He has also served in numerous leadership positions for such groups as the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, State of Alaska Economic Development Forum, and the Joy Elementary PTA.

     USDA Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Further information on USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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