Espy picks Nash for his Agriculture undersecretary - Department of Agriculture secretary Mike Espy chooses Bob Nash

Jet, June 14, 1993

Arkansas' most publicized exponent of economic development, Bob Nash, was sworn in as the first Black undersecretary of agriculture, backing up the department's first Black secretary Mike Espy.

Overseeing operations of the department's Rural Development Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Rural Electrification Administration, Nash will become the back up for small community and rural development programs.

The three agencies -- RDA, FmHA and REA -- sponsor an array of loan and grant programs supporting housing construction, farm acquisition, job creation, private business development, and community improvement in rural areas.

The FCIC operates crop insurance programs, which protect participating farmers from losses due to weather-related and other natural disasters.

"The revitalization of rural America is one of my top priorities," Secretary Espy said. "Bob Nash brings a great depth of experience and I am delighted to have him lead our efforts."

A native of Texarkana, Ark., Nash hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas and a master's in urban studies from Howard University.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in economic development, starting off serving as vice president of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in Little Rock.

Later, he served as vice president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and senior executive assistant for economic development in Governor Clinton's office.

He joined the U.S. Agriculture Department after a stint as associate director of White House personnel.

Smiling Can Get You Job, Save Time Or Money: Study

A researcher says flashing a grin can make the difference between a harsh or lenient sentence, a new job or a rejection, a lavish or paltry tip.

"The big effect is that the person is perceived as being more honest, more trustworthy," said Marianne LaFrance, a Boston College professor.

She studied 125 people asked to imagine they were part of a committee deciding the case of a student charged with cheating. Each was shown a picture of the student, sometimes smiling, sometimes not.

Most subjects found the student guilty. But those shown the picture of the student smiling generally urged a lesser punishment.