The longtime state director for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman will leave that job to become the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s director for rural development in New Mexico, the Obama administration announced today in a news release.
Terry Brunner leaves Bingaman’s office after leading the senator’s state organization for seven years.
“Terry Brunner will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities throughout the state and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release.
Brunner has been state director for Bingaman since 2002, managing five district offices and supervising 19 staff members. The USDA’s office of rural development manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs.
Bingaman recommended Brunner for the job, the senator said in his own news release.
“Terry has served New Mexicans for many years as the director of my state offices. I know he will do a terrific job continuing his public service as director of New Mexico’s Rural Development Administration office,” Bingaman said.
Brunner said he is “honored to have been appointed to this position by the president.”
“I’m excited to take on this new challenge and join the president’s effort to rebuild and revitalize rural America,” Brunner wrote in an e-mail. “…USDA rural development has incredible resources at its hands to work on housing, small business, energy, broadband and community development, and the USDA New Mexico rural development office will make use of them across New Mexico.”
Bingaman said Greg Bloom, who has been working in his Las Cruces office, has been promoted to state director.
Also today, Obama appointed Salomon Ramirez to head the state’s Farm Service Agency. Ramirez, a longtime USDA employee, is a graduate of New Mexico State University.
“Salomon Ramirez brings a wealth of experience to this important appointment,” Bingaman said.