For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 17, 2005

Personnel Announcement

President George W. Bush announced that he has nominated one individual, intends to nominate one individual and intends to appoint two individuals to serve in his Administration:

The President nominated Richard T. Crowder, of Virginia, to be Chief Agriculture Negotiator at the United States Trade Representative, with the Rank of Ambassador. Mr. Crowder currently serves as President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. He previously served as Senior Vice President, International at DEKALB Genetics Corporation, an agricultural genetics company. Prior to that, Mr. Crowder was Executive Vice President and General Manager, International at Armour Swift-Eckrich, a subsidiary of ConAgra Foods, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as Under Secretary of International Affairs and Commodity Programs at the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Crowder received his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He also received his PhD from Oklahoma State University.

The President intends to nominate Michael W. Michalak, of Michigan, to have the Rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.

The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Board of Directors of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission:

Lorenzo Larranaga, of New Mexico, to be United States Border State Representative

Jacob Monty, of Texas, to be United States Public Representative

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