Perdue Announces Farm Service Agency and Rural Development State Directors

News Release from US Department of Agriculture (excerpts)

(Washington, D.C. November 3, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Directors, all serving as appointees of President Donald J. Trump.  FSA State Directors help implement U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs in their respective states. They are also responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office.  Similarly, RD State Directors work to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.

“These state directors will help ensure that USDA is offering the best customer service to our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers across the country,” Secretary Perdue said. “FSA and RD both play a critical role in helping the people of agriculture, and are able to connect with people in their home states.  They are the initial points of contact for millions of our USDA customers.  Our goal is to help rural America prosper, and these state leaders will be of great assistance in that task.”

The following is a list of State Directors Perdue released today (list of 50 states excerpted):

FSA State Directors:

Hawaii: Allen Frenzel

Allen (Al) Frenzel is a logistics management professional who previously worked for Defense Logistics Agency on the United States Pacific Command staff after retiring as an Army Colonel with 27 years of active service.

Rural Development State Directors:

Hawaii: Gigi Jones

Gigi Jones founded a grassroots organization known as Cool Our Keiki and has worked in construction, small business, engineering and business development for over 20 years. She knows first-hand the challenges of living in remote and rural areas as she has lived, worked and volunteered in rural areas inside and outside of the U.S. for many years.

read … Full News Release

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House Minority Congratulates USDA Federal Appointees

News Release from Hawaii House Republican Caucus Nov 7, 2017

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi House Minority Caucus, consisting of Representatives Andria Tupola (R-43), Gene Ward (R-17), Cynthia Thielen (R-50), Bob McDermott (R-40), and Lauren Matsumoto (R-45), issued the following statement congratulating Mr. Allen Frenzel and Ms. Gigi Jones on their appointments as state directors for the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue:

“We are very excited for the appointments of Mr. Frenzel and Ms. Jones by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve the people of Hawaiʻi. We will support their efforts to preserve and protect our ‘āina and look forward to working together. We wish them the very best in this endeavor.”

Allen “Al” Frenzel is a logistics management professional who previously worked for Defense Logistics Agency on the United States Pacific Command staff after retiring as an Army Colonel with 27 years of active service.  

Gigi Jones founded a grassroots organization known as Cool Our Keiki and has worked in construction, small business, engineering and business development for over 20 years. She knows first-hand the challenges of living in remote and rural areas as she has lived, worked and volunteered in rural areas inside and outside of the U.S. for many years.

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SA:  Trump appoints supporters to local USDA posts 

SA: Trump supporters, yes; agriculture experience, no