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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 6, 1997

               PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES SALLY THOMPSON AS THE 
        CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

President Clinton today announced his intent to nominate Sally Thompson to serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Agriculture.

Sally Thompson, of Lawrence, Kansas, has served as the State Treasurer of Kansas since 1991. While serving as State Treasurer, she reformed the state's investment laws, earning Kansas $700 million in interest income, and updated the state's unclaimed property laws, returning more than $12 million in abandoned assets to the rightful owners. Ms. Thompson recently launched a school savings initiative in conjunction with the Kansas Bankers Association in an effort to encourage strong savings practices among the state's youngest residents. Ms. Thompson serves on the Pooled Money Investment Board, is a trustee on the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Board, and is a member of the Surety Bonds and Insurance Committee. In addition, she is the treasurer of the Midwest Association of State Treasurers. Ms. Thompson also has been the Secretary/Treasurer of the National Association of State Treasurers, is a past chair of the National State Debt Management Network, and was formerly a member of the Executive Committee for the Council of State Governments. Prior to being the State Treasurer, she was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Shawnee Federal Savings in Topeka, Kansas, from 1985 to 1990; the Vice President and Manager of Business Planning & Financial Analysis at the United Bank of Denver from 1982 to 1985; and a certified public accountant, audit manager, and management consultant for Touche Ross & Company from 1975 to 1982. She is a graduate of the Leadership Kansas and the Leadership Topeka programs and the Council of State Governments' Toll Fellowship program. In her community, she has been involved with the boards for the Topeka YWCA, Everywoman's Resource Center, and Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Thompson received a B.S. degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Department of Agriculture reports directly to the head of the Agency regarding financial matters. The CFO oversees all financial management activities relating to the programs and operation of the Department of Agriculture and maintains an integrated agency accounting and financial management system.

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