[OKC] FW: Lawmaker Appointed to Lead Rural Development Efforts

[Shauna Struby]

fyi

 

From: Ray Carter [mailto:carterra at okhouse.gov] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 10:30 AM
To: Ray Carter
Subject: Lawmaker Appointed to Lead Rural Development Efforts

 



Representative Ryan McMullen

Proudly Serving Washita, Kiowa, Caddo & Canadian Counties

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rep. Ryan McMullen

Burns Flat: (580) 562-3934

Capitol: (405) 557-7312

 

Lawmaker Appointed to Lead Rural Development Efforts

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Tuesday, June 30, 2009) - State Rep. Ryan McMullen has been
appointed State Director of Rural Development at the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

            The announcement came Monday evening as Agriculture Secretary
Tom Vilsack unveiled several Obama Administration nominations to federal
agriculture posts across the country.

            "My legislative career has focused on needs of the chiefly rural
Oklahomans I represent in the Legislature," said McMullen, D-Burns Flat. "I
am honored to play an even larger leadership role in addressing the
challenges facing rural Oklahoma's communities and small businesses." 

           USDA Rural Development coordinates federal assistance to rural
areas of the nation, focusing on preserving and improving the quality of
life for rural Americans. McMullen will be responsible for leading these
efforts across Oklahoma, as he becomes head of the approximately 100
employees and 13 regional offices that comprise USDA Rural Development's
commitment in Oklahoma.

            This commitment includes grants, loans and loan guarantees for
rural housing programs; community and utility initiatives to assist with
water, waste, community facilities, electric and telecommunications
projects; and business programs that provide planning and assistance as well
as guaranteed loans for new and expanding businesses.

            "Today's economic environment has numerous hurdles, yet plenty
of opportunities for rural Oklahoma," said McMullen. "I have relished my
service in the Legislature, but truly believe I can make even greater
contributions in this new leadership role." 

In 2004 McMullen was elected to the legislature at the age of 25, and has
served a district that includes the four counties of Washita, Kiowa, Caddo,
and Canadian, stretching from the Oklahoma City suburbs and encompassing a
large amount of rural southwestern Oklahoma.

Early in McMullen's career, he was elected by colleagues to serve in one of
five elected leadership positions in the House of Representatives.
McMullen's service as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus made him the
youngest legislator in Oklahoma history to be elected to House leadership.
He currently serves as the ranking member of the House Agriculture and Rural
Development Committee.

McMullen hails from the small community of Burns Flat, Oklahoma, where he
was the fourth generation raised on the family farm. McMullen credits his
beginnings in leadership to the experiences he gained through the
agricultural leadership organizations of 4-H and FFA. As a young man,
McMullen was elected to serve as State President of the state's largest
youth organization, the Oklahoma 4-H Program and its 147,000 members.

Proceeding to Oklahoma State University, McMullen graduated as a Top Ten
Senior man with a degree in agricultural economics. He then began a career
in agriculture and economic development. Prior to his service in the
Legislature, Ryan served as the Director of the El Reno Chamber of Commerce
and Development Corporation. Currently McMullen and his family still operate
a small cow/calf operation south of Burns Flat.

McMullen is expected to take the helm at USDA Rural Development in mid-July,
at which time he will vacate his seat in the Oklahoma House of
Representatives.

 

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