CAREY NAMED DIRECTOR OF USDA'S OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
                                            Release No. 0293.97
                                                               
                                                               
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                  Martha Cashion (202) 720-3310
                                        martha.cashion@usda gov

CAREY NAMED DIRECTOR OF USDA'S OFFICE OF OPERATIONS

     WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 1997--Acting Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
for Administration Pearlie Reed today announced that Priscilla B. Carey has
been selected as the new director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Office of Operations.

     In that position she has responsibility for nationwide mail management
programs, facilities management in the Washington, D.C., area, and the
headquarters functions of mail distribution, duplicating services,
procurement, forms, and USDA's furniture and supply warehouses.  She also is 
responsible for overseeing management of the construction of USDA's new
facility in Beltsville, Md., and the renovation of USDA's 60-year-old South
Building in Washington.  Carey has served as USDA's associate deputy for
operations since May 14, 1995.

     "I am proud to have Priscilla Carey assume the leadership for the
Office of Operations," Reed said.  "She is a highly competent manager with a
record of successfully dealing with difficult tasks.  We are fortunate to
have her in this critical position of ensuring smooth and efficient
operations."

     Previously, Carey served as the director of the Office of
Administration in the Department of Veterans Affairs.  In that position she
was responsible for a wide range of administrative support services to VA
employees in headquarters and nationwide, including two joint GSA/VA
construction projects, audiovisuals, telecommunications services, travel
policy, contracting and procurement support for the central office, space
management for headquarters staff, and personal property management. 

     During a 21-year career with the VA, she worked in both the field and
at the central office.  A native of Rochester, N.Y., she joined VA as a
clerk following graduation from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., where she
received a B.A. degree in psychology.  Her most visible accomplishment at VA
was the $60 million-plus renovation of the headquarters facilities in
downtown Washington.  From January 1991 to July 1994, Carey and her staff
moved over 2,600 employees to new or renovated space.  The project finished
on schedule and on budget.

     In November 1993, Carey was presented the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs' Equal Employment Opportunity Award in the executive category for
distinguished performance in equal opportunity programs.  She is a graduate
of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Va.

                                
                                
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