The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency announced Jan. 21 the selection of Jim Park as Acting State Director in Nevada.
Park is filling the position after the departure of Phil Cowee. As an appointed official in the Trump Administration, Cowee resigned Jan. 20.
As Acting State Director, Park oversees delivery in Nevada of more than 50 programs administered by the Rural Housing Service, Rural Business and Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service.
Under the umbrella of USDA Rural Development, these programs provide financial and technical assistance to support infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care facilities; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. In 2020, these programs invested $151 million in rural Nevada communities.
Park currently serves as Associate Enterprise Director for USDA Rural Development in Nevada, providing a wide variety of mission and administrative operations support for all Nevada offices, staff, and leadership.
Previously, Park, served as manager of the town of Gardnerville from 2000-2010 and oversaw several town improvements, including dedication of Heritage Park and the founding of Nevada’s first Main Street Program.
Park holds an MBA and is a Nevada Certified Public Official, a Certified Professional Contracts Manager, and a Lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager. He and his wife Pam have called rural Carson Valley home since 2000.
