TOPEKA -- USDA Rural Development has announced Karissa Berks as the new Business and Energy Program Director in Kansas. Berks previously served in a similar capacity in Nebraska and has over eight years of program experience with the Agency.

State Director Patty Clark commented, “Ms. Berks has an impressive record of accomplishment and will be a vital member of our management team here in Kansas. She is a native Kansan so we are particularly happy to bring one of Kansas’ best and brightest back to our state.”

As Director, Ms. Berks administers programs that assist rural communities with job creation efforts through loan guarantees, direct loans and grant opportunities. Since 2007, Karissa has led efforts in delivering more than $85 million to rural communities across Nebraska. Under her leadership, Nebraska has remained as a top five state in the Nation for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and has been recognized every year for utilizing over 100% of the guaranteed loan allocation.

Berks was born and raised on a small family farm outside of Hanover, Kansas. She attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business in 2003.

Business and Energy Programs Ms. Berks will administer for USDA Rural Development in Kansas include:

Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans; Rural Business Enterprise Grant; Rural Business Opportunity Grant; Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants; Value-Added Producer Grant Program; Rural Energy for America Program (REAP); Intermediary Relending Program; and Rural Cooperative Development Grant.