The Senate confirmed Lisa Mensah as agriculture undersecretary for rural development. Mensah was among a dozen administration nominees confirmed on a voice vote on Thursday afternoon. USDA’s three rural development agencies have a combined portfolio of $200 billion in direct and guaranteed loans.
“It’s a powerful portfolio that must be managed well to insure repayment and to ensure wise and efficient ways to expand investments for greater impact,” said Mensah during her confirmation hearing. Mensah has worked on economic development at the Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation as well as working in the banking industry and teaching economics, said the White House in announcing her nomination in May.
Senators also confirmed Jon Holladay as USDA chief financial officer.