WASHINGTON, June 14, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of Mark Simmons as the Oregon State Director for USDA Rural Development.

"Mark Simmons has led a distinguished career in public service," said Johanns. "His leadership in Oregon on agricultural and rural issues will serve USDA well as we seek to help Oregonians increase their economic opportunity and improve the quality of life."

Simmons, from Salem, Ore., is currently serving as the government relations director for the Oregon Association of Nurseries. Prior to his current employment, Simmons served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1997 thru 2002, serving in the leadership role of Speaker of the House for the 2001-2002 legislature.

Prior to his election to the state legislature Simmons was a leading advocate for the multiple use of public lands and management of those lands for the long-term benefit of rural communities. He was the president-elect of the Union County Chamber of Commerce, on the executive board of the Oregon Lands Coalition, and the spokesman for the Northwest Timber Workers Resource Council.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development has invested over $54 billion since the beginning of the Bush Administration to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. As a result, over 1 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.