**Participant Profiles**

**NRDP Council Development Workshop**

**Kansas City, Missouri \~ November 3-5, 2003**

**Charles "Chuck" Andres, Indiana**

I am a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. degree in Agriculture.
I am retired and own and operate a small farm in Northern Dearborn
County. I am the past Clerk/Treasurer of the Town of St. Leon and am the
current President of the Town Council. I serve on the Town Plan & Zone
Commission and the Dearborn County Comprehensive Plan Advisory
Committee.

I served on the 2002 NRDP Plan Committee and Co-chaired the Mobile
Workshop sub-committee of the Indiana Rural Development Council. I am a
member of the IRDC Governing Board, and I serve on its Outreach
Committee and Environmental Infrastructure Working Group. I serve on the
Rural Waste Water Task Force of the Indiana Land Resource Council and am
a member of the Southern Indiana Rural Development Partnership.

For twenty-seven-plus years, I was in the livestock feed industry, first
as a salesman and working my way through to Regional Sales Manager,
Retail Plant Manager, and General Manager of Swift & Co.'s National Feed
Division. I then owned and operated two feed mills in Northern Dearborn
County.

Just prior to my retirement, I worked in the housing construction
industry as a customer service manager for a major supplier to the
housing industry in the Cincinnati, Ohio area for about fifteen years.

I have five wonderful, successful children and seven lovely
grandchildren.

**Chuck Banks, Kansas**

A fifth generation Kansan, Chuck was reared on a crop-livestock farm in
Pottawatomie County. Following graduation from Kansas State University
in 1982 with a degree in Agricultural Economics, he joined Commerce Bank
of Kansas City, Missouri with responsibility in the farm management
services area. In 1988, Chuck joined BANK IV Kansas, where he headed the
Agricultural Management Division, along with responsibility working with
rural businesses.

In 1995, Banks joined then Congressman Pat Roberts\' staff as his
Congressional Director in Kansas. Following the 1996 election, Senator
Roberts appointed Banks as his Assistant State Director; specializing in
agricultural and rural development issues.

In November of 2001, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman appointed
Chuck as the 13^th^ Kansas Director of USDA Rural Development (formerly
known as Farmers Home Administration).

In addition to Chuck\'s interest in promoting rural Kansas and economic
development, he is an active volunteer with numerous non-profit
organizations. Currently he serves on the boards of directors for the
American Heart Association, Project Topeka, and the Topeka South Rotary
Club. In 1993, he also served as Ag Alumni Association President for
Kansas State University.

Chuck is the father of two daughters; Ashly is a junior at Topeka High
School and Laura is an 8^th^ grader at Washburn Middle School.

**Clarke Becker, Colorado**

Clarke Becker became the Executive Director of the Colorado Rural
Development Council as of May 15th of this year.  A resident of Woodland
Park, Colorado for 25 years, he was born in Colorado Springs. Clarke
graduated from Baker University with a degree in Secondary Education.
Following graduation, he taught high school Physical Education and
coached football and basketball and at Woodland Park High School. Clarke
was the Director of the Teller County Economic Development Council from
1993 to 2003.

Clarke's public service involvement has been concurrent with much of his
time as Executive Director of the TCEDC. Clarke served the City of
Woodland Park as a Planning Commissioner, Councilman and Mayor from 1986
to 1996. In 1996 he was elected to the Teller County Board of
Commissioners, serving through July of 2003.

Clarke has also served as a member of the Pikes Peak Area Council of
Governments and Chairman two different times; member of the Pikes Peak
Workforce Investment Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee and
Chairman of the Workforce Development Transition Task Force; Actively
involved with Colorado Counties, Inc Steering Committees and the 1999
CCI Commissioner of the year; serves on the Economic Developers Council
of Colorado Board of Directors; appointed by Governor Owens to the Great
Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Board; and serves as a member of the BLM, Front
Range Resource Advisory Council;

Clarke is married to Joni for 28years, proud father of Kate Gilbert and
Jill Becker and Granddad to Kara and Brett Gilbert. "I am very blessed
to have them all living in Woodland Park."

**Gerard Bertrand, Rhode Island**

Gerard Bertrand is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Rural
Development Council.

Mr. Bertrand's work experience includes seven years with RI Economic
Development Corporation as an Account Executive in collaborations with
various industry groups in RI, and he has served on the Boards of the RI
Printing Industry and the Rhode Island Resource Conservation &
Development Council.

Mr. Bertrand has a M.B.A. from Bryant College in Business Management and
an undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island in Business
Administration. He has a career background concentrating on economic
development, workforce development, training and human resources. He
also worked as a contract consultant in workforce training and
organizational development.

His work experience spans many industries including health care,
insurance, outside retail sales, government services, and non-profit
human services.

Gerry is a lifelong resident of Rhode Island who loves "LOBSTA and CLAM
CHOWDA" \-\--but will be eating steak and ribs in Kansas City.

**Sara Braasch, Idaho**

Sara Braasch is the new Executive Director of the Idaho Rural
Partnership (IRP). The IRP is directed by federal law and state
executive order to coordinate the local, state and federal development
efforts. The IRP office is based in the Idaho Statehouse and Braasch is
traveling extensively in Idaho to complete her duties.

Prior to joining IRP, Braasch was the Executive Vice President of the
Idaho Cattle Association and staffed Sen. Larry Craig in his Washington,
DC office when he was chairman of the Senate Conservation, Forestry and
Rural Development Sub Committee.

In addition to her work with IRP, Braasch is the immediate past chair of
the Idaho Food Quality Institute, on the UI College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences Dean's Advisory Board and a Board member for the Idaho
Council on Industry and the Environment.

Braasch is a graduate of Payette High School and received a bachelor's
degree in Economics with honors from Albertson College of Idaho.

**Trent Clark, Idaho**

Trent L. Clark is Public Affairs Director for Monsanto, an agricultural
technology company whose western U.S. manufacturing is based in Soda
Springs, Idaho. As a representative of rural manufacturing, he was
elected Co-Chair of the Idaho Rural Partnership in 1997, and again in
2002. His involvement with the Partnership started in 1992 when he was
invited by the White House to serve as a representative to the
Conference on the President\'s Rural Development Initiative. In 2000, he
was asked by Senator Larry Craig of Idaho to draft what became the
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2000 (S. 3175, 106th
Congress).

Before joining Monsanto, Trent worked as a State Director of the Farm
Service Agency, where he administered USDA farm and conservation
programs in Idaho. That appointment followed nearly ten years working as
Chief Environmental Economist for the Joint Economic Committee of
Congress, and as personal staff to Senator Steve Symms of Idaho. During
that time he drafted and assisted in legislating numerous bills,
including the Foreign Agricultural Investment Reform Act (Public Law
99-472), the National Environmental Policy on International Financing
Act (Public Law 101-240), the \"Take Pride in America\" Act (Public Law
101-628), the National Recreational Trails Fund Act (Public Law
102-240), and the Private Property Rights Act (S.Amdt. 102-305).

Trent is a summa cum laude graduate of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho,
and finished his undergraduate at Brigham Young University with honors
in political science and botany. He has since done graduate work at the
Harvard School of Public Health and at La Selva Research Center in Costa
Rica.

**Robert Coppedge, New Mexico**

Dr. Robert Coppedge has been on the New Mexico Rural Development
Response Council since its beginning and was recently elected President.
He also served as President three years ago. He is currently Interim
Associate Dean and Associate Director for the New Mexico State
University Cooperative Extension Service.

He has over thirty years experience as an Extension economic development
specialist, conducting programs in business and economic development for
companies, communities, and countries. The most recent focus is programs
and strategic decision-making principles for businesses and communities
on teleliteracy, telecommunications, e-Commerce, e-Business and
e-Government. Another current focus is identifying economic clusters and
value chains suitable for economic development efforts to integrate
businesses and communities into the global economy and the electronic
age. Dr. Coppedge is currently developing educational programs for
businesses and communities on teleliteracy, e-Government and e-Commerce.
He is also chair of a nationally designated committee to obtain funding
for telecommunication learning programs available to guide business
people and community leaders. Telecommunications policy and trends as
they affect strategic decision-making is also a current emphasis.

He has recently conducted economic analysis and developed policies and
programs for emerging private sector companies in Latin America.
Previous work includes identifying problems and developing solutions for
existing businesses as a source of jobs, income and tax base. He has
also developed business and economic development training and capacity
building programs in community, business, and economic development for
business people, community groups, and community leaders.

**Lisa Dominisse, Nebraska**

Lisa Dominisse is the Director of Rural Development for the Nebraska
Department of Economic Development. Newly appointed, Dominisse serves as
the Executive Director for the Nebraska Rural Development Commission. In
addition, she is working on a statewide rural development plan that will
be in concert with the policy recommendations made by the Rural
Development Commission, the intent being to move rural Nebraska toward
greater prosperity.

Previously, Dominisse served as Director of Program Services for the
Department of Economic Development. Her duties in that capacity included
acting as liaison for the department with the Nebraska State
Legislature, Executive Director of Nebraska Diplomats, Inc., Personnel
Officer, Coordinator of the Economic Development Commission, and special
projects coordinator. Prior to her tenure in economic development,
Dominisse served as Director of Governor Mike Johanns' Western Office in
Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Before entering state government, Lisa was the
Director of the Health Center Foundation at Memorial Health Center in
Sidney, Nebraska.

A native Nebraskan, Lisa was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated
from Seward High School in Seward, Nebraska. She is a 1991 graduate of
the University of Nebraska---Lincoln, College of Journalism. Lisa is
married with two children.

**Nancy DuBosque Berliner, New Hampshire**

Ms. Berliner has 25 years of professional experience in community
development, regional planning and non-profit management. Currently the
Executive Director of the New Hampshire Rural Development Council, she
has raised over \$8 million dollars throughout her career in support of
rural agricultural and economic development programs throughout New
England. Earlier achievements include the development of the Great Falls
Discovery Center on the Connecticut River in Turners Falls,
Massachusetts: a \$3 million dollar community revitalization partnership
between 6 local, state and federal agencies; development of the Western
Massachusetts Career Assistance Center funded by the Department of
Labor's Industrial Services Program and the Massachusetts Community
Technical College System; and 5 years service as Director of Economic
Development for the Franklin County Community Development Corporation in
Western Massachusetts. She holds an M Ed. in Administration and
Organizational Development from Cambridge College, MA and a Graduate
Certificate in Community Organization Management from Tufts University
Department of Urban and Environmental Policy. Recent awards and
recognitions include the 1999 Excellence in Community Stewardship Award
from PlanNH, and the National Rural Development Partnership's 2001 Rural
Impact Award.

Professional skills include: Facilitation, organizational development,
community and economic development, entrepreneurship training, incubator
development and management, agricultural training and development,
career counseling and job development, non-profit management, self
employment contracting, farm management, multi-agency partnership
development, civic engagement program development, developing
partnerships with higher education.

Federal agency grant and program experience include: USDA-Rural
Development RBEG and RBOG, AmeriCorp, HUD-CDBG, SBA lending programs,
U.S. Forest Service Economic Recovery Program, EDA, Conservation Fund
Gateway Communities Program.

**L. Keyth Durham, Nevada**

L. Keyth Durham, Chairman of the Nevada State Rural Development Council,
is a native of California. He graduated with a Bachelor of Sociology and
a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University in
Provo, Utah. From 1972 to 2001, Mr. Durham was involved in city
management for six cities in California, the last city being Firebaugh,
California where he served for eight years as City Manager. In 1998, he
was employed as city manager in West Wendover, Nevada. Since March of
2002 he has been employed by the University of Nevada School of
Medicine, State Office of Rural Health. He is actively involved in
several organizations that deal with rural issues, among which are
Chairman of State Advisory Committee on Transit, Chairman, Board of
Directors for Nevada Health Centers, Board of Directors, Rural Nevada
Development Corporation, Chairman, Elko County Oral Health Care
Coalition, Chairman, Wendover Resources Council, Chairman, Wendover
Diabetes Coalition.

**Cornelius P. Grant, North Dakota**

Cornelius Grant and his wife of 40+ years were born and reared in
Belcourt, ND. They and their five grown children, all graduates of North
Dakota institutions of higher learning, are enrolled Turtle Mountain
Chippewa.

In April 1996, Grant retired from 35 years of creditable federal service
with the BIA and EDA, where he served as the North Dakota representative
for almost 25 years. During this tenure many of the most visible
economic and community development projects were completed on the
state's four Indian Reservations, Trenton Indian Service Area, and the
United Tribes Technical College complex in Bismarck.

He accepted his current position as the first Executive Director of the
North Dakota Rural Development Council in May 1996, having since led the
unique organization into a substantial number of proactive partnerships
in emergency management, strategic planning, leadership, and Indian
reservation community and economic development

**Tom Guthrie, Michigan**

Tom came to Michigan in 1960 as part of a scholarship program with the
American Guernsey Cattle Club. He graduated from Michigan State
University in 1965 with a degree in Dairy Science. Tom Guthrie is
currently a farmer in Southwestern Barry County. Tom and his family have
farmed in the Delton area since 1967. Crops grown include alfalfa, corn,
soybeans, wheat, and a farm market with emphasis on sweet corn and
vegetables.

Tom accepted the role of Executive Director of the Michigan Integrated
Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) on August 3, 1998. MIFFS is a grassroots
non-profit organization working to improve the economic and social well
being of Michiganders who grow and eat food, and the environmental well
being of Michigan's natural resources. Tom's past activities have
allowed him to serve as Vice President of Michigan Farm Bureau and
President and Treasurer of Michigan Agricultural Stewardship
Association. He represented Michigan on the North Central Region
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Administrative Council
from 1992 until 1997, serving one year as Council Chair. He received
Michigan State University's Agriculture and Natural Resources
Distinguished Service Award in 1995. He currently serves as a non-profit
member and chair of Rural Partners of Michigan.

Under Tom' leadership MIFFS has evolved from a project into a recognized
and viable non-profit organization serving some of the unique needs of
rural Michigan. Currently MIFFS has active projects involving: farm
markets, farmland preservation, the Select Michigan/Buy Local campaign,
and a multicultural farmer program in southwestern Michigan. Tom also
led efforts with others in the development of Michigan's Partnership for
Product Agriculture for the creation of a food and Agriculture
Innovation Center in Michigan. Tom's efforts to build partnerships and
relationships are key components of his vision and MIFFS strategy as it
pursues its Purpose while being guided by its Principles.

**Dennis Harding, Iowa**

I serve as the Commodity Services Coordinator for the Iowa Farm Bureau
Federation. In this position I work primarily in the development of
farmer-owned businesses, which further process agricultural commodities.
Prior to joining the Iowa Farm Bureau I farmed in northwest Iowa. Having
lived in a small rural community, I had the opportunity to serve on the
boards of the school, church, bank, development council and other
organizations. I enjoyed those experiences and because of my current
position, I still get to work with people in rural Iowa who strive to
improve their economic opportunities.

I graduated from Iowa State University in Agricultural Business. In
addition to farming, my checkered past includes a variety of jobs
related to agriculture. I have a daughter who is a sophomore at ISU. My
hobbies include going to ISU athletic events, traveling and keeping the
house from falling apart.

**Kelly Haverkampf, Wisconsin**

I am Executive Director of Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc., an
educational, non-profit organization that builds, trains and supports
public-private collaborative partnerships to create and implement
strategies that improve rural community life across Wisconsin. Wisconsin
Rural Partners, Inc. has served as Wisconsin's state rural development
council since 1993. I also provide organization, planning, design, and
facilitation through a company I share with my husband, called Great
Services LLC.

My background includes both public sector and private sector positions,
having worked in the Wisconsin Legislature, as Director of Constituent
Relations for the Governor of Wisconsin, at the Wisconsin Department of
Development (now Commerce), and in my own public relations firm. My
areas of career focus include strategic planning, organizational
development, community economic development, public relations and
design.

I recently retired from the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin
Leadership Institute, and am current chair of the North Central Regional
Center for Rural Development. I also currently serve on Wisconsin's
Smart Growth Economic Development Committee. I am a past board member of
the National Rural Development Partnership, the Wisconsin Rural
Challenge, and the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council. I am a long-time
member of the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation.

My educational background includes degrees, certificate and adjunct
studies in English, political science, economic development, journalism,
public relations, historic preservation, design, organizational
development, consensus building, partnership building and collaboration.

I grew up in rural northern Wisconsin (St. Germain, then population
200), where my family ran a vacation resort, attending a four-room K-8
school with two grades per classroom. Much of the curriculum included
experiential learning in the community surroundings \-- what is now
called "place-based" learning. Much of what -- and how -- I learned has
impacted my choice of career, as well as the way I approach my work. I
now live in Lodi, Wisconsin (south-central, population 2,882) with my
husband and 14-year-old step-daughter. I enjoy reading, traveling, golf,
and am an avid genealogist.

**Paula Z. Helfrich, Hawaii**

Since 1985, Paula's company "Corporate Concepts Issues Management, Inc."
has worked with a number of clients, including the Hawaii Island
Economic Development Board, Biosystems Technology Program, Agriculture
Based Remediation Program, Rural Economic Transition Assistance, China
Clipper Lodge & Coffee Farm, and the Military Affairs Council. Prior to
her work with Corporate Concepts, Paula work for Pan American World
Airways, Inc., with executive responsibility for sales and marketing
activities throughout the Pacific.

Paula's public service and community activities currently include work
with the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, State Foundation on
Culture & Arts, Hawaii Workforce Development Program, Aloha Festivals,
Pan American Historical Society, Hawaii Horse Owners Association, and
the Pacific Islands Association. Paula is the new Executive Director of
the Hawaii Rural Development Council.

In 1964 Paula graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago with a
degree in English Literature. She attended Loreto Convent & College in
Darjeeling, India from 1956-1962

Paula was raised and educated in Burma and India and is fluent in
French, Burmese, and Hindi. Paula continues to travel, having visited
129 nations, documenting more than 5 million miles air/sea travel. Paula
collects Asian/Pacific art and airline memorabilia. Paula has two
children, ages 21 and 17. She has lived in Hawaii for 31 years.

**Cheryl A. Hinckley, Texas**

Cheryl A. Hinckley is entering her 13th year as the Executive Director
of the Texas Rural Partners, Inc. (formally known as the Texas Rural
Development Council). In 1991 President George Bush appointed Ms.
Hinckley to this position. In 1998, Ms. Hinckley formed her own company,
and has been contracted by the Texas Rural Partners, Inc. to continue
her services as Executive Director to TRP.

In August of 2003, Hinckley received the "Friend of Rural Development"
Award from the United States Department of Agriculture, Texas Rural
Development. This award was given for her assistance and devotion in
working with rural communities throughout the years. In 1997 she
received an award from the 13^th^ Legislative Conference sponsored by
the U.S. Small Business Administration for her efforts to marshal
resources to help rural communities. In April of 1997, Hinckley was
recognized for her continuing work in development of the partnership
between the RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development Councils), which
contributes to a stronger rural Texas. In 2002 Hinckley received the Ron
Shaffer Award from the National Rural Development Partnership.

Hinckley has a diverse background in chamber of commerce work, economic
development, construction, oil and gas, ranching, fast food industry,
the political arena, and baton and dance studios. Hinckley owns a farm
in East Texas.

Hinckley attended American Business College in Wichita, Kansas and has
taken continuing education courses at Wichita State University in Kansas
and Texas A&M University. She is a member of the Tarrytown United
Methodist Church, and in her spare time raises money for the Crockett
Library in Crockett, Texas in memory of her late husband, James L. (Jim)
Hinckley.

**Stephen F. Hoesel, Iowa**

Steve is a native of Central Nebraska, born in 1949 in a very small
rural farm community, and received his BA and MA from two branches of
the University of Nebraska System. He is married, has four daughters,
and is heavily engaged in support for the arts in public education.
Steve migrated to Iowa in 1976 and specifically to Fort Dodge in 1980 to
pursue employment options with regional planning agencies. As the
Director of the MIDAS Council of Governments he is keenly aware of the
challenges rural communities face as they adjust traditional
infrastructure and policies as a means of survival.

Steve has worked his whole professional career helping small rural
communities and counties survive in a vastly changing political, social,
and economic climate. Many times the operative words are, "It is similar
to pushing a rope uphill." Hard, but it can be done.

**Joe Kiely, Colorado**

Joe Kiely chairs the Colorado Rural Development Council and is the Town
Administrator for the Town of Limon (population: 2100) in eastern
Colorado. He has worked in Limon for the past 13 years since coming to
Limon to assist with disaster recovery following a tornado in 1990.

Joe has participated in various capacities in Colorado Rural Development
Council since its creation in 1993, including several terms on the Board
and five months as interim Executive Director. Joe also serves as the
Vice Chair of the Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor Coalition that supports
development of a federal high priority transportation corridor from
Mexico through Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado, and he is very
active in statewide and regional transportation planning in Colorado.

With a B.S. degree in Agriculture Education from Fresno State
University, Joe recently was honored for 20 years of service to Colorado
4-H and still raises registered Suffolk sheep with his youngest
daughter. He also serves as preacher for two congregations of the Church
of Christ in Limon and Byers, Colorado. He is married for 31 years with
three grown children and is about to become a grandfather for the first
time.

**Don Koverman, Indiana**

I am in my 30^th^ year working for communities (15 in rural/15 in urban
environments), via a variety of organizations including governments
(local/county/state), higher education, and a nonprofit organization (a
20-county regional foundation). I have a broad range of experience in
the areas of community/economic development, personnel/fiscal
management, grants administration, and strategic planning.

My educational experience has provided a strong foundation for my public
service career. I have a BA from Butler University (Indiana), a Masters
in Public Affairs from Indiana University, as well as post-graduate
certificates in public management and community resources form Indiana
University and the University of Minnesota, respectively.

Currently I am the Executive Director of the Indiana Rural Development
Council, responsible for the day-to-day operation of a public-private
partnership responsible for coordinating the efforts of citizens and
governments to meet the economic and social needs of 67 rural counties
throughout Indiana.

**Jolinda H. LaClair, Vermont/New Hampshire**

Jolinda is currently the State Director for USDA Rural Development for
Vermont and New Hampshire, overseeing operations and personnel for the
bi-state jurisdiction. In FY \`03, the Agency invested over \$110
million in loans, loan guarantees and grants for housing, business and
community development in this region.

Prior career experience includes fifteen years working for U.S. Senator
James M. Jeffords spanning 1983-2001 as a Caseworker, Office Manager,
Legislative Liaison, and State Director in the Congressional office, and
positions of Finance Director and Campaign Manager in the Senator's
campaigns for U.S. Senate. Jolinda also worked as the Director of
Congressional Relations for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

Jolinda has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Vermont and
attended Stowe High School. Her professional development includes
Mediation Training from Woodbury College, Campaign Management College,
State Directors Training and Masters in Public Administration classes.
Jolinda is currently on the University of Vermont Extension State
Advisors Council and the Board of Directors for the Vermont Council on
Rural Development.

**Jim Lowery, Washington**

Jim Lowery, the Executive Director of the Washington Rural Development
Council, has experienced a number of opportunities at the grass roots
level of rural. He has worked in the wood products industry as a lumber
off bearer, trim saw operator and certified lumber grader. He
represented a 1600 member woodworkers union as their business agent and
negotiated contracts and represented member grievances.

Jim has owned and operated two businesses in rural Washington. One was a
convenience store and the other was an Asphalt business. He worked with
dislocated loggers and mill workers through a formal program to help
them find work or get retraining. Jim served as Mayor of Shelton a
community of 7600 population from 1976 through 1980. He has been a
welder's helper, bartender, insurance salesman, loan officer for a
finance company, hod carrier for concrete work, truck driver, equipment
operator, and farm worker. Jim managed a district office for a member of
congress and was most recently the executive director of the Pacific
County Economic Development Council. He has a two year degree in
computer programming which he received in 1971 when computers will still
using data punch cards.

He is married to Barb, 33 years, and has four children and 11
grandchildren and one great grand child. He lives in Centralia
Washington and works out of Olympia; and sounds old but is not.

**Kathleen McDowell, Utah**

Kathleen McDowell is the office manager for Regional Services serving
the Utah Rural Development Council, Utah Center for Rural Life,
Governor's Rural Partnership, AHEC, and the Assistant Attorney General
at Southern Utah University.

Kathleen worked closely with professionals in the city, county, and
state levels of economic development and served for ten years in the
California county of San Bernardino, primarily in the
Industrial/Commercial Marketing and Site Selection, a division of
Community and Economic Development. Kathleen provided marketing and site
selection data services for public and private entities in and out of
the country. Her successes included working on the placements of nine
Wal-Mart Stores along the I-10 corridor; Lockheed Aircraft Engine Repair
Center and Japan Airlines Pilot Training Center at the closed Norton Air
Force Base location. The division also assisted in the job placement of
6,000 displaced civilian workers that resulted from the closures of
Norton Air Force Base and George Air Force Base. She has worked for the
Utah Rural Development Council for one year and Southern Utah University
for three and one-half years.

Kathleen fortunately knew early in her work career that public service
provided the most personal satisfaction for her. She enjoys
problem-solving and thinking of innovative ways to provide solutions to
resolve issues. She believes rural development is so important for
maintaining an existence for people who enjoy rural living and deserve
the opportunity to maintain the lifestyle.

Her hobbies include scroll saw woodwork, toll painting, hiking, fishing,
and camping. Family is the priority and includes growing up with ten
brothers and sisters in upstate New York. The immediate family has grown
to 67 individuals. Her husband, children, and her grandsons, are the
most important thing to her.

**Marcie McLaughlin**

Marcie McLaughlin is the Executive Director of Minnesota Rural Partners,
Minnesota's state rural development council and has served in that
capacity since MRP began in 1995. MRP is involved in several projects
including entrepreneurship, telecommunications and new agriculture. MRP
also hosts the annual Minnesota Rural Summit.

Prior to her tenure as director of MRP, Ms. McLaughlin served as a
Renville County Commissioner. She represented her county on many state
committees, including the Minnesota River Citizen\'s Advisory Committee.
She has also served as the Chair of the National Association of Counties
Rural Development Steering Committee. McLaughlin previously worked with
six southwestern Minnesota counties doing comprehensive water planning.
She is a trustee of the Blandin Foundation and a board member the
Northern Great Plains Initiative.

Marcie McLaughlin received a Master in Public Administration from the
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the Spring of 2003.
She has an education degree from Southwest State University in Marshall,
Minnesota and has done Master's work in adult education from Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas. Ms. McLaughlin lives in rural
Morton where her family owns and operates Birch Coulee Pottery. Married
to Dennis for twenty-six years, they have two grown children, daughter,
Claire and son, Ian.

**Linda Parquette, Connecticut**

I grew up in rural Connecticut, but couldn\'t wait to go away to \"a big
city\" for college. After a B.A. from University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia, and living in Alabama, Boston, and Philadelphia, I moved
to rural Amherst, Massachusetts where I received a Master of Regional
Planning from the University of Massachusetts. My first planning job was
for the antithesis of rural, the City of Toronto. My first child, a
daughter, was born there.  Next stop was a suburb of Orlando, FL, where
I worked as a city planner and gave birth to my son.  I finally moved
back to Connecticut where I headed a Council of Governments for towns in
the most rural region of the state for 10 years. During that time I
served on the steering committee that established the Connecticut Rural
Development Council.  I saw its potential for my towns as a source of
information and access to underutilized federal programs and resources.

After 20 years as a municipal and regional planner, I have served as the
ED for CRDC for the last 7+ years. Aspects of the job I treasure most
are the networking/sharing with colleagues through the NRDP, and working
at the grassroots level, helping communities with leadership training
and capacity building.

Now divorced (some of you knew me as Linda Cardini), I relocated to
southeastern CT last year and am at the beach (Atlantic Ocean) as often
as possible, when not figure skating (my other passion). Other off-duty
activities include volunteering with the City of New London's Main
Street organization and a local historic preservation group and
babysitting for my two granddaughters.

**Shawn Pritchett, South Dakota**

Shawn Pritchett was appointed Executive Director of the South Dakota
Rural Development Council effective October 14, 2003. Shawn holds a B.A.
degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Morris and a M.A.
degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute - University of
Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Prior to joining SDRDC, Shawn was an Administrator for the Minnesota
Supreme Court Office of the Professional Boards. Shawn has prior
experience in public policy and economic development as a Program
Officer and Policy Analyst for the Midwestern Higher Education
Commission where he worked with higher education institutions throughout
the Midwest to develop cost saving initiatives through cooperative
purchasing and operating strategies. Shawn also developed several
research reports dealing with the issues of higher education access and
workforce development.

Shawn\'s personal interest in rural development originates from his
experiences growing up on a family farm in rural southwestern Minnesota,
5 miles from the South Dakota border. Shawn and his family relocated to
Sioux Falls, SD in September.

**Mary Randolph, Wyoming**

Mary Randolph is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Environmental Education.

Mary joined the National Rural Development Partnership as Executive
Director of the Wyoming Rural Development Council (WRDC) in August of
1997. Previous to this position she served 20 years with the U.S. Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management in Colorado, California, Oregon
and Wyoming. She held positions in administration, timber, land
management planning, public affairs and her last assignment as District
Ranger on the Medicine Wheel Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest,
Wyoming.

Mary currently serves as Chairman of the National Rural Development
Partnership Executive Board and Vice-Chairman of Partners for Rural
America, Inc.

A few examples of programs Mary has been involved in as Executive
Director for the WRDC include: helping to create a successful/affordable
leadership program for rural communities in Wyoming; developing a
process for Conservation Districts to use to develop outreach programs
for watershed planning; assisting several school districts in completing
strategic plans to qualify for school-to-career grants; strategic
planning for organizations and communities; facilitating a resource
management plan on the Wind River Reservation; organizing the Wyoming
Community Viz™ Partnership; and implementing a community assessment
process for Wyoming.

**Megan Smith, Oregon**

Megan Smith is the Managing Director of the Community Service Center at
the University of Oregon and the Program Director of the Resource
Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program. She focuses her
efforts on assisting rural Oregon in addressing community development
and natural resource issues and on service learning that addresses rural
needs. As

Director of the RARE Program, Megan is responsible for community and
participant recruitment, training and the daily administration of the
program.

Megan's planning focus is on watershed management and the role of
education and outreach in planning. Her teaching responsibilities at the
University include courses in Citizen Involvement and Watershed
Planning.

Megan has been on the Executive Committee of the Oregon Rural
Development Council (ORDC) for five years, and is the newly elected
Chair. She enjoys playing volleyball, rafting and watching or listening
to baseball. Megan\'s greatest claim to fame is that she was kissed by
Cary Grant, putting her in the company of Grace Kelly and Audrey
Hepburn.

# William H. Sturges, Pennsylvania

On July 1, 2003 Governor Edward G. Rendell appointed William H. Sturges
as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Rural Development Council.
The PRDC is an agency within the Governor's Executive Offices charged
with the convening, representing, educating and advocating on behalf of
the citizens of rural Pennsylvania.

Bill began his career as a dairy farmer in Pennsylvania's Northern Tier,
where he was active in numerous rural organizations. He then went on to
become the Executive Director of a statewide agricultural trade
association. Most recently Bill worked in the Commercial Real Estate
business assisting national, regional and local companies with Real
Estate and Development requirements.

As a long time advocate of Pennsylvania rural development, he has served
in leadership capacities in numerous organizations dealing with Housing,
Economic Development, Social Services, Agriculture, Commercial
Development and Health Care.

Bill's background will assist him in his capacity as he represents the
Pennsylvania Rural Development Council on many bodies, such as the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Council on Electric Choice, the Center for
Rural Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, the
Pennsylvania Health Department, the State Health Improvement Planning
Committee, the Governor's Interagency Teams and the Governor's Policy
Office.

**Scott Truman, Utah**

Scott Truman is the executive director for the Utah Rural Development
Council and has served in that position since April 1994. Scott
currently serves as Vice Chair of the Southwest Utah Policy Action
Council (SUPAC), State Board for Utah Area Health Education Centers
(AHEC), board member for Utah Small Cities, Inc., Co-chair of the Utah
Center for Rural Life, Chair for the Southern Utah Foundation, and on
the executive board for the National Rural Development Partnership.

Over the past seventeen years, Scott has worked closely with rural
development in conjunction with the Utah Department of Community &
Economic Development. He was the designer and fund raiser of golf
courses in Ferron and Green River, Utah. He has been active in the
following rural issues: community fund raising, agriculture and
ranching, mining issues, public land issues, education, environmental
issues, and community and economic development.

Scott is married and has five children and two grandsons. He enjoys
skiing, golfing, reading, "cowboying" and playing with his grandsons.

**Bob Turner, Texas**

Bob Turner is a fourth generation Texan from the mid west Texas City of
Voss. A former member of the Texas State Legislature, Bob has
substantial experience in dealing with government at all levels. Prior
to serving twelve years as a member of the Texas House, Bob owned and
operated a retail store for 20 years and served with distinction in the
U.S. Army reserve for 35 years. He served 17 years as president and
member of the local school board, and he has also served as president of
the Coleman Chamber of Commerce and president of the Coleman County Farm
Bureau, as well as State Director and Vice President of the Texas Farm
Bureau. Bob serves as State Chair of the Texas Rural Partners, an
association that coordinates rural activities and growth with U.S.
Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Bob established his rural issues consulting firm in January 2003 after
retiring from the Texas House. He maintains a long-standing relationship
with key leaders of the House and Senate. In a lobby/consulting role he
is an advocate for rural issues including rural health, agriculture,
property rights, water and environmental, and rural economic
development. His expertise lies in monitoring legislation and committee
activity and implementing legislative strategy. Bob promotes client
positions through direct interaction with legislators and their staff,
as well as interaction with other elected officials and agency
representatives.

Bob has been Executive Director of the Coleman Development Company, Inc.
for over 10 years. Bob belongs to the Coleman Chamber of Commerce and
the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce. He is the music Director/Lay Speaker
of the United Methodist Church. Bob is a member of the Taylor and
Coleman County Juvenile Justice Council, Texas Rural Firefighters
Advisory Council, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers
Association, Texas State Rifle Association and life member of the
National Rifle Association. He is a lifetime member of the Texas
National Guard Association and the U.S. Reserve Officers Association

Bob and his wife Ann farm and ranch in Coleman County. He is a graduate
of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth,
Kansas.

**Nancy Wheeler-Brown, Florida**

Nan Wheeler-Brown, CEO of Rural Resources, Inc., serves as Chair of the
Florida State Rural Development Council. She has thirty years of
experience as a grant and funding specialist and is a registered
lobbyist for rural infrastructure. Her fields of expertise include:
Project Planning, Development, Implementation and Evaluation; Project
Funding; Staff Training; Project Administration; Lobbying.

She held an appointed position in the Florida Department of Community
Affairs during Governor Bob Graham's administration. During the last
seventeen years, her consulting firm has served a number of clients
including the Farmer's Home Administration-USDA, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Florida Rural Water Association, the Florida
Water Partnership, the Florida Counties Foundation, Southeast Rural
Community Partnership, Tri-County Community Council and private firms
seeking funds for rural projects.

**Holly A. Woelber, New Mexico**

Holly Woelber, Executive Director of the New Mexico Rural Development
Response Council, holds a Bachelor's and Master of Science degree. Ms.
Woelber has extensive broad-based experience having worked in the
manufacturing industry, post-secondary education, as an Executive
Director of federal grant programs, and most recently as the Vice
President of Workforce and Education for the Greater El Paso Chamber of
Commerce. Her experience spans both urban and rural economic and
community development areas, with a concentration in human capital
development. She has consulted for several years in Texas, Georgia,
Washington DC, Tennessee and New Mexico.

Ms. Woelber currently serves as President of the NMSU Extension Support
Council, on the Board of Directors of the Belen Chamber of Commerce
Board, and as a member of the El Ranchito de los Ninos Development
Committee, serving as the In-Kind Donations Chair. She has previously
served as councilwoman and Mayor pro-tem for Horizon City, Texas, and as
a trustee of the Clint Independent School District, Clint, Texas, as
well as a member of numerous Boards and organizations.

**Madonna Peltier Yawakie, Minnesota**

Ms. Peltier Yawakie is the President and CEO of Turtle Island
Communications, Inc. (TICOM). TICOM provides
telecommunication-consulting services to tribal governments and
organizations that are focused on improving services within tribal land
areas. TICOM's consulting services include feasibility studies, market
assessments, network designs, business plans, and operational management
consulting. Madonna's experience includes working as a Project Manager
with an Engineering firm, where she defined and initiated projects for
independent telephone companies. Ms. Peltier Yawakie was also employed
with US West Communications (now Qwest), where she worked as a
technology specialist for public sector marketing, and as a market
manager for the US West Tribal Nations Market. Her experience includes
managing workgroups, market segments, and sales.

Ms. Peltier Yawakie served as an Advisory Panel Member to the U.S.
Congress, Office of Technology Assessment's August 1995 report on
\'Telecommunications Technology and Native Americans\'. In March 1999,
she provided testimony to the Federal Communications Commission on
"Obstacles to Improving Telephone Service on Indian Lands." She serves
as Vice-Chair of the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors; and is an Executive Board of Director member of the
Minnesota Rural Partners. She is also a Science Advisory Board Member &
Education Advisory Panel Member, National Center for Earth-surface
Dynamics, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, 2002 --
Present.

Ms. Yawakie has a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master's degree
in Community and Regional Planning from North Dakota State University.