Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

Lloyd O. Pierson Sworn In As Head of USAID's Bureau for Africa



Lloyd O. Pierson Sworn In As Head of USAID's Bureau for Africa

Lloyd O. Pierson Sworn In As Head of USAID's Bureau for Africa

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Andrew S. Natsios announced the swearing in of Lloyd O. Pierson as the Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Africa at the agency. Pierson was confirmed by the Senate on November 21, 2004.

As the head of the Africa bureau, Pierson will provide overall regional and country expertise, manage USAID programs in the field, and represent USAID on Africa to the U.S. Congress. He will also be responsible for communication at the regional and country level with other international donors and financial organizations.

Prior to joining USAID, Pierson was Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations for the Peace Corps. Shortly after the inauguration of President Bush in 2001, Lloyd was named a member of the transition team at Peace Corps. In September 2001, he was named Acting Deputy Director with overall agency management responsibilities, including the Africa Bureau. In his role, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of all Peace Corps programs abroad, headquarters staff, and the 11 domestic Regional Recruiting Offices.

Pierson was previously appointed to senior Administration positions by Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. In November of 2001, he was selected to represent the United States in addressing a plenary session of the United Nations during the concluding session of the International Year of the Volunteer.

From 1984-1991, he was the Country Director in Ghana and Botswana and served an interim assignment in Swaziland. In addition, he negotiated bilateral agreements for the Peace Corps in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pierson was named the first Peace Corps Country Director in Namibia following that country's independence from South Africa on March 20, 1990. He subsequently assisted with establishing Peace Corps programs in Armenia, Bulgaria, and Uzbekistan.

Prior to returning to Peace Corps in 2001, Lloyd was Director of the Africa Division for the International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington, D.C. based non-profit organization that works to advance democracy and good governance abroad. He has testified before the United States Congress on Angola, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe and has been quoted in the media and academic journals on issues related to Africa. From 1982 to 1984, Pierson was a Staff Associate on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations.

Pierson is a graduate of the University of Houston and has done post-graduate studies at the South Texas College of Law and Lamar University.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

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December 10, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Dodd says Rumsfeld's answer was unacceptable 9 Dec RPCV Blake Willeford runs classic movie theatre 9 Dec RPCV says education is key to curbing AIDS 9 Dec RPCV Dannielle Tegeder opens exhibition 9 Dec Shalala 1st Woman In Touchdown Club 9 Dec "Today we have a new country" says Toledo 9 Dec DDN wins Investigative Reporting Award 8 Dec Celeste on Panel to study Colorado finances 8 Dec RPCV leads Rotary Club medical team to Togo 6 Dec Vasquez to speak at Hawaii, Wisconsin commencements 6 Dec Tom Murphy warns Pittsburgh on budget abyss 2 Dec Venezuela RPCV Martha Egan runs Pachamama imports 30 Nov more top stories...

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RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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