Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development

The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, or USA(RD), is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Agriculture and the principal advisor to the United States Secretary of Agriculture responsible for oversight of the Department's rural development programs and policies.

The Under Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate to serve at the pleasure of the President. The current Acting Under Secretary is Doug O'Brien, who was appointed Acting Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development on May 6, 2013.

Overview

The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, as head of the Office of Rural Development, provides assistance to the Nation's rural communities. In particular, this assistance comes in three areas: business, utilities, and housing. The Under Secretary oversees loans, grants, and technical assistance to rural residents, communities, and businesses.

With the rank of Under Secretary, the USA(RD) is a Level III position within the Executive Schedule. Since January 2010, the annual rate of pay for Level III is $165,300.

Reporting Officials

Officials reporting to USDA Rural Development Under Secretary include:

• Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Policy and Planning
• Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Operations & Management
• Administrator of the Rural Business Service
  • Rural Business-Cooperative Service
• Administrator of the Rural Housing Service
  • Rural Housing Service
• Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service
  • Rural Utilities Service

Office Holders

The previous Under Secretary was Dallas Tonsager, who was appointed by President Barack Obama on May 18, 2009.

External links

• The website of USDA Rural Development
• The biography of Doug O'Brien at the Department of Agriculture
• The biography of Doug O'Brien at USDA Rural Development
• The Department of Agriculture's list of positions under the Under Secretary