Press Release

USDA Deputy Under Secretary to hold press conference in Branson

Local, regional & national media invited to July 22 event

July 20, 2004—Jefferson City, MO:  The Missouri Forests Products Association (MFPA) will host the nation’s top forestry association executives in Branson during the National Council of Forestry Association Executives (NCFAE) Meeting, July 21-24 at the Chateau on the Lake resort. 

Highlighting the event will be a press conference on July 22 at 11:30 a.m. featuring David P. Tenny, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.   

“All segments of the media should take advantage of this rare opportunity to interview such a prominent national leader,” MFPA Communications Coordinator Rodric Bradford said. “Many different story ideas and angles will originate from just this one press conference as regional and national topics are discussed.”

Tenny has been serving as deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment since January 2001. In the position Tenny is responsible for policy relating to the programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

National and regional topics to be discussed include:  Healthy Forest Initiative, funding of wildfire prevention, forest stewardship, Sudden Oak Death and the effects Red Oak Borer insect as well as the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Plan and any other topics members of the media deem relevant.

“NCFAE is an important part of the decision-making process in regards to government regulation,” NCFAE President & MFPA Executive Director/CEO Cory Ridenhour said. “[Rey’s] appearance is perfect for an event with such a national audience. His message will equally benefit media at the press conference and executives during his keynote address.”

Tenny will address NCFAE Meeting attendees as the luncheon keynote speaker immediately after the press conference.

Established in 1949, the only previous time Missouri hosted the NCFAE Meeting was 1987 in St. Louis. NCFAE currently has 164 members in over 40 states. NCFAE’s purpose is to further the wood products industry nationwide by developing government policies and legislation that protects the industry.

For more information about MFPA, visit www.moforest.org. To be mailed a 2004 NCFAE Meeting brochure, receive Tenny’s biography or to RSVP to attend the press conference, contact Bradford at (573) 634-3252 or Rodric@moforest.org.

All members of the media that plan to attend are strongly encouraged to RSVP by 5 p.m. on July 21 to ensure placement.

David P. Tenny

Deputy Under Secretary for Forestry

USDA Natural Resources & Environment

Biography

Served in the Deputy Under Secretary position since January 2001, officially named to position in October 2001

Responsible for policy relating to the programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service

From 1997-2001 served as Counsel and Policy Advisor on natural resources in the House Committee on Agriculture for the United States Congress

Previously served as Counsel for U.S. Representative Wally Herger of California

Earned bachelor’s degree in American studies from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and a law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  

Native of Boise, Idaho