The White House this week announced his intent to appoint former Oklahoma State Rep. and House Majority Leader Mike Sanders to serve as a member of the Community Development Advisory Board.
The board advises the director of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which was created to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to CDFIs. The fund’s mission is to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting the growth and capacity of a national network of community development lenders, investors, and financial service providers.
“It’s an honor to be asked to serve in this capacity by President Trump,” Sanders said. “I look forward to adding Oklahoma’s voice to this national board, which has the potential to impact policies important to all Oklahomans but particularly those in our rural communities and in our tribal governments. When those in rural Oklahoma and in our tribes thrive and see economic and job growth, our entire state benefits.”
This is a three-year nonpaid presidential appointment.
The advisory board was created under the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994. The 15-member board will meet in Washington, D.C. two to three times a year.
Members of the board include the Secretary of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Treasury and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration or his or her designee. Nine private citizens are appointed by the president, including individuals who have expertise in community development and those who have expertise in the unique lending and community development issues confronted by Native American tribes on reservations.
Sanders served as a political appointee under President George W. Bush at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for USDA Rural Development.
He said this experience should serve him well in this new role.
A native of Western Oklahoma, Sanders has devoted his entire career to public service. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2008 until this November when he was term limited. Previously, he served as Director of Interns in the George W. Bush White House and as Deputy Chief of Staff for Rural Development as well as the Senior Advisor to the Chief of Natural Resources Conservation Service for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He also served on the Council for Small Business for Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin from 1999 to 2003.