Orson Swindle Confirmed as Federal Trade Commissioner

Orson Swindle was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on March 19, as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission to a term that expires in September, 2004. Commissioner Swindle, who received a one-year recess appointment, assumed the responsibilities of the office on December 18, 1997.

The Federal Trade Commission enforces federal laws and rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices or methods of competition. The FTC was created in 1914 and has five Commissioners.

Mr. Swindle has had a distinguished military career and served in the Reagan Administration from 1981 to 1989 directing financial assistance programs to economically distressed rural and municipal areas of the country. As Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Development he managed the Department of Commerce's national economic development efforts directing seven offices across the country. Mr. Swindle was State Director of the Farmers Home Administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture financing rural housing, community infrastructure, businesses, and farming.

A native of Camilla, Georgia, he and his wife, Angie have resided in Honolulu, Hawaii.