BOZEMAN, Mont., Jan. 5, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additional regional positions, including three Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Directors and two Rural Development (RD) State Directors.
“We are grateful to have these five individuals serving in these roles at USDA,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “With diverse skills and experiences, each will be an important representative of USDA in their states as we work to improve the lives of the American people and build a better America.”
Kathleen Williams has been appointed as the USDA RD State Director for Montana. Williams has worked for 38 years in economics and natural resource planning and policy in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. From 1995 to 1999, she staffed the Environmental Quality Council, a bipartisan committee of the Montana Legislature, and served as a staffer on the Montana House Committee on Natural Resources. Williams then worked as the Water Program Manager with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and later as the executive director of the nonprofit Instream Flow Council. In 2010, she was elected to the Montana House of Representatives, where she served three terms. As a state legislator, Williams vice-chaired the Agriculture Committee, and passed legislation to improve health care and infrastructure, grow and diversify Montana's economy, and advance local food production systems. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkley and a Master’s in Recreation Resources from Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
“I am thrilled to be appointed as USDA RD Montana’s State Director and employ the experience gained during my time as a Montana state legislator and natural resource planner to expand economic prosperity throughout the state,” stated Williams. “It’s my privilege to work with USDA RD Montana’s talented and dedicated Business and Cooperative, Community Facilities, Water and Environmental, and Single Family Housing program teams as we further our commitment to helping Montana’s farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, small businesses, towns, Tribes, non-profits, co-operatives, lenders and families thrive.”
USDA RD State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of rural development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
In an effort to expand this workforce, USDA RD Montana is hiring a Rural Business Cooperative Services Loan Specialist to help open up funding opportunities and increase equity in rural Eastern Montana. The agency is also hiring a Community Programs Loan Specialist in the Bozeman or Billings area to service loans and grants for rural facilities, utilities and businesses. Both positions are posted on USAJobs and both job announcements will close on Jan. 10, 2022.
Media interested in interviews with Ms. Williams should contact USDA RD Montana's Public Information Officer, Sue Kerver, at suzanne.kerver@usda.gov or (406) 312-0190.
USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally, and advocate for rural America and provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Americans living and working in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.