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

USDA APPOINTS LORRAINE SHIN TO HEAD RURAL DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN HAWAII

     WASHINGTON, June 1, 2001--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today appointed Lorraine Pualani Shin as the Hawaii State Director for USDA Rural Development.

     Shin, a native Hawaiian from Hilo, Hawaii, is the President and owner of the Polynesian Management Corporation and the Polynesian Hooponopono Corporation, property management firms that specialize in commercial and residential properties. Since 1994, Shin has served as Vice President of the successful Hawaiian shopping center, Waiakea Center.

     Shin is active in her local community and is the past President of the East Coalition for the Homeless and a former Commissioner for the Hawaii County Board of Ethics. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald named Shin as one of the Women of the Year for 1993. She also has been active in assisting the Big Island Substance Abuse Non-profit Organization and assisting with her community's transitional housing. Shin is a graduate of the University of Hawaii where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

     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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