Skip to main content


Appalachian Regional Commission

          
CLOSE
        Appalachian Region
              Data Overview of the Appalachian Region
                      Appalachian States
                      Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
                      County Economic Status and Distressed Areas in Appalachia
                      Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
                      Congressional Districts in Appalachia
                      Local Development Districts in Appalachia
      Investment Priorities
              Building Businesses
                      Workforce Ecosystems
                              Addressing Substance Use Disorder
                      Community Infrastructure
                              Transportation in Appalachia
                      Regional Culture and Tourism
                      Community Leaders and Capacity
                              READY Appalachia
                      Investments in Action
      Grants and Opportunities
              About ARC Grants
                              Match Requirements for ARC Grants
                      Funding Opportunities
                              Area Development ProgramOpen
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER InitiativeOpen
                                      WORC InitiativeOpen
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative
                                      J-1 Visa Waiver Program
                                      Local Access Road Program
                      Contract Opportunities
                      Applicant Resources
                      Grantee Resources
                      Approved ARC Projects
      Research and Data
              Research Reports
                      Evaluations
                      Maps
                      Data Report Tool
                      Fact Sheets and Infographics
      Academies and Institutes
              Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative
                      Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
                      Appalachian Leadership Institute
                      Appalachian STEM Academy
      About ARC
              History and Work
                      Structure and Leadership
                              ARC Offices & Staff
                                      State Partners
                                      Local Development Districts
                                      Office of Inspector General
                      Budget, Performance, and Policy
                      Newsroom
                      Careers at ARC
                      Internships at ARC
      SearchSearch
    Search

              Events
      Newsroom
      Get ARC Updates
      Inspector GeneralFacebook
      Twitter
      Youtube
      LinkedIn You are here
    HomeNewsroomNewsAppalachian Regional Commission Welcomes Brandon McBride As New Executive Director

      	
	
Appalachian Regional Commission Welcomes Brandon McBride As New Executive Director
	
			November 12, 2020
                **Media Contact:**
											Wendy WassermanARC UpdatesPress Release
	
				
			McBride To Begin Post Monday, November 30, 2020
	
	
	**WASHINGTON, D.C.,**November 12, 2020 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced that Brandon McBride will join the Agency as ARC’s Executive Director. As the Executive Director, McBride will lead the administrative, programmatic, and fiscal management of ARC to ensure that the organization’s structure, budget, and programs support the Commission’s strategic investment plan, as well as the Executive branch and States’ initiatives for the Region. McBride will supervise over 50 professional staff, and report directly to both the Federal Co-Chairman and the 13 regional governors who comprise the full Commission. McBride succeeds Charles Howard, ARC’s General Counsel, who has been serving as ARC’s Interim Executive Director since November, 2019.

“Brandon is an experienced leader who knows and understands rural America and the people who work and live in its communities,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “He will be a champion for the Appalachian Region, and has the confidence of the entire Commission. He is the right choice at a critical time for ARC, and I look forward to seeing the work he will do.”

McBride comes to the Commission from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC).  As the Vice President of Federal Relations, a position he held for more than three years, McBride managed legislative and regulatory issues affecting the organization.  Prior to joining CFC, McBride served as the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS).  With a staff of approximately 250 and a loan portfolio approaching $60 billion, the agency offers programs that invest in improvements to existing infrastructure or the development of new infrastructure across rural America.  McBride’s appointment as RUS Administrator followed his role as a senior staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.  As a Committee staff member, McBride helped develop policies supporting rural economic and community development.  A native Arkansan, McBride earned his undergraduate degrees as well as his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Arkansas State University.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to serve in a leadership role at the Commission,” McBride said.  “I have always been impressed by ARC’s impact in the Region, and I look forward to being a part of the Commission’s efforts to support Appalachian communities in fulfilling their potential.”

During fiscal year 2020, ARC approved $161.8 million in funding for 474 investments which attracted an additional $304.7 million in other project funding, and $858 million in leveraged private investment across Appalachia. These investments are projected to create or retain an estimated 26,000 jobs and train more than 20,500 students, workers, and leaders in new skills across Appalachia.

**About the Appalachian Regional Commission**

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Appalachian Regional Commission

          About ARC Grants
      Grants and Opportunities
      Newsroom
      Contract Opportunities
      Contact ARC
      Careers

  Get ARC News and Updates
    
    
                
  Sign Up Here
    Web and Privacy Policy