On Thursday, January 13, 2022, the U.S. president, Joe Biden, announced the appointment of several individuals who will be taking on a leadership role with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). One of those individuals is ABIRC’s very own Executive Director, Blong Xiong.
From the linked article (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/13/president-biden-announces-key-regional-appointments-for-usda-and-hud/):
“As the Executive Director for Asian Business Institute & Resource Center (ABIRC), and with over 20 years of community service, Xiong works with the Board to carry out the vision and mission of ABIRC to serve the small Southeast Asian farmers and small Asian businesses in the Central Valley. Prior to being the Executive Director for ABIRC, Xiong served two terms as a Council Member for the City of Fresno from 2007-2014, where he was the first elected Hmong Council Member in the State of California and the first Asian Council Member in the City. He has also served as Deputy Director for The Fresno Center,), a nonprofit organization that assists immigrants, refugees, and New Americans. Xiong is very active in issues that span education, economic development, health, and equitable access to resources, and has sat on statewide commissions, the Asian Pacific Islander Commission, the California Volunteer Commission, as a committee member on the Insurance Diversity Board, and was a local board member of Valley Small Business Development Corp. and API collaborative member. Xiong holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marian College of Fond du Lac and a master’s degree in Business Administration from National University.”
The ABIRC team and new Deputy Director, Kee Xiong, would like to congratulate Blong Xiong on his appointment with the White House. We would like to thank him for all the hard work and accomplishment he has achieved during his time at ABIRC. We will uphold and carry on his legacy. We wish him the best and only the best with his new endeavor.
Here are other articles that you can refer to:
- GV Wire: https://gvwire.com/2022/01/14/president-biden-appoints-fresnos-blong-xiong-to-usda-post/
- Fresno Bee: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article257311907.html
- Ag Week: https://www.agweek.com/news/government-and-politics/7347359-Whitney-Place-named-Farm-Service-Agency-state-executive-director-for-Minnesota
Thank you for reading!