Tillis & Burr Welcome Appointment of Two North Carolina USDA Positions | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Last week, at the recommendation of North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, President Trump appointed Len McBride to lead the North Carolina Farm Service Agency (NC FSA) and Bob Chandler, Jr. to lead the North Carolina Rural Development office.

    Len McBride is currently an Agricultural Supervisory District Director with the NC FSA and is a long time employee of the Agency. He has significant experience working with farmers on the agricultural programs available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

    "With nearly 50,000 farming operations in the state, Mr. McBride's long history in the agricultural community makes him well qualified to lead the NC FSA and I believe he will be a tremendous asset to North Carolina's producers," said Senator Thom Tillis. "His extensive knowledge with both direct and guaranteed loans will be invaluable as the agricultural industry deals with low commodity prices, and I look forward to working with him to make the FSA experience an efficient and friendly process for our North Carolina farmers."

    "Mr. McBride is an excellent choice to serve as North Carolina's USDA Farm Service Agency State Director," said Senator Richard Burr. "Len's nearly thirty years' experience working in the Farm Service Agency as a County and District Director will serve him and the people of North Carolina well. I look forward to confirming Mr. McBride as soon as possible."

    Bob Chandler, Jr. is a former USDA Rural Development employee. He currently works with farmers to navigate USDA regulations and their interactions with the Department.

    "Mr. Chandler has a proven record of increasing loan and grant production and building relationships between Rural Development and communities," said Senator Thom Tillis. "I applaud President Trump for appointing Bob to lead the North Carolina Rural Development office, and I look forward to working with him on economic development opportunities to assist our rural areas with water, electric, and communications infrastructure."

    "Mr. Chandler's more than thirty years of experience working for and with USDA will be invaluable for this position," said Senator Richard Burr. "As North Carolina's USDA Rural Development State Director, Bob will be able to serve the people of North Carolina with knowledge and expertise that is unrivaled. I look forward to his consideration and confirmation by the U.S. Senate."

• Contact: Daniel Keylin
•     daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov