WASHINGTON, May 9, 2014 -- President Barack Obama said he plans to nominate Lisa Mensah, the executive director of the Initiative on Financial Security at the Aspen Institute, as the USDA’s under secretary for rural development.

Mensah has held the Aspen Institute post since 2002. Before then she worked in a variety of positions at the Ford Foundation, including as deputy director of both the Economic Development Unit and the Rural Poverty and Resources Program. She holds a B.A. from Harvard and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

In a news release, Obama also said he would nominate Rick Spinrad to the post of chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Spinrad is the vice president for research at Oregon State University.

“I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to join this Administration and serve our country,” Obama said. “I look forward to working with them in the future.”

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