Michael Reyna heads Farm Credit Administration board

In a ceremonial event, Michael Reyna takes the oath of office as a member of the Farm Credit Administration. Also pictured (left to right) are Karen Reyna, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Mario Obledo, and Keda Alcala-Obledo.

President Bill Clinton designated Michael M. Reyna (LBJ Class of 1982) as chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) Board in January. Reyna, whose term expires in 2004, had served as a member of the board since he was confirmed by the Senate in October 1998.

As the head of the FCA--a bipartisan, independent regulatory agency located in McLean, Virginia--Reyna is responsible for making policy, adopting regulations, and overseeing the regulation of the institutions that comprise the Farm Credit System. The system has $69.7 billion in loans outstanding to U.S. farmers, ranchers, and their cooperatives.

At the time of his promotion Reyna was serving as chairman of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (FCSIC); concurrent with his designation as FCA chairman, he stepped down from his FCSIC post.

Reyna has extensive experience in agricultural finance and financial services regulation. From 1993 to 1998, he served as state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development in California. He worked from 1982 to 1993 for the California State Legislature, specializing in the areas of financial services regulation, housing, economic development, and local government finance.

In 1996, Reyna received Vice President Al Gore's Hammer Award for helping to reinvent the USDA Rural Development Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program. He has also received awards from the California Rural Builders' Council, the Rural California Housing Corporation, and the California Coalition for Rural Housing in recognition of his leadership and commitment to rural America. In 1993 Reyna was acknowledged by the California State Legislature for his many contributions.

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