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WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2006-Agriculture Secretary Mike
Johanns today announced the appointment of Peter J. Thomas as
USDA's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.
"Peter Thomas' service at USDA has been
marked by a keen understanding and effective administration of our
programs," said Johanns. "I look forward to working with
him in his new capacity and welcome his enthusiasm and
commitment."
Thomas has also been designated as Acting
Assistant Secretary for Administration while the President's
nomination of Boyd Rutherford awaits confirmation by the U.S.
Senate.
In July 2004, Thomas was appointed to serve as
the administrator of USDA's Rural Development Business and
Cooperative programs. In this capacity Thomas was responsible for
overseeing the national, state and field offices' implementation of
grants and loans and managed a loan guarantee portfolio of over $5
billion.
Prior to joining USDA, Thomas was for 14 years
the president and founder of Bay State Strategies, a government
relations firm, in addition to serving as the managing director of
Eddington Hotspur Inc., an international real estate development
firm. From 1995-1997 Thomas served as chief of staff for
Congressman Peter Torkildsen. He also
served with the U.S. Small Business Administration and from
1981-1985 as the New England Regional Administrator of the U.S.
General Services Administration.
Thomas is a resident of Silver Lake, New Hampshire.
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