Bette Brand, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, will be the second recipient of NCBA CLUSA’s Cooperative IMPACT Champion award, presented during the opening reception of the 2019 Co-op IMPACT Conference. Register now to attend!
Administrator Brand has wide-ranging experience promoting rural communities and the cooperatives that help them thrive. Since joining USDA in January 2018, she has prioritized increasing rural America’s access to capital, investing in innovating technology and helping businesses create jobs.
Prior to USDA, she spent 35 years with Farm Credit of the Virginias, where she most recently served as chief advocate for the agriculture industry and rural businesses, supporting producers at the state and national level and educating policymakers and consumers on agriculture.
“For hundreds of years, the cooperative business model has helped communities provide the goods and services they need, especially in rural America,” Administrator Brand said. “Today, more than ever, this business model offers the structure to provide economies of scale, a stronger voice, and the collective ingenuity and resources to empower member-owners and realize economic opportunities in the marketplace. USDA, through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service, continues to support the cooperative business model and values its contribution to our economy.”
NCBA CLUSA president and CEO Doug O’Brien will present Administrator Brand with the 2019 Cooperative IMPACT Champion Award at the Co-op IMPACT Conference opening reception on Wednesday, October 2, from 6-8 pm at REI Co-op’s Washington, DC flagship store. This reception is presented by America’s Electric Cooperatives, Capital Impact Partners and National Information Solutions Cooperative.
All IMPACT Conference attendees are invited to attend this event in person. Register now and be part of celebrating Brand’s commitment to the success of cooperatives nationwide.
The Cooperative IMPACT Champion Award is given to individuals in public service who work tirelessly to create an environment in public policy and legislation that allows cooperative businesses to grow and thrive. These recipients are champions of values-based businesses that focus on building resilient local communities.