Guatemala RPCV Alexander Newton sworn in as USAID Mission Director for Mali



Guatemala RPCV Alexander Newton sworn in as USAID Mission Director for Mali

New USAID Mission Director for Mali Sworn In

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2005
0526-05-042
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Alexander Newton as its new Mission Director for Mali. Administrator Andrew S. Natsios presided at the event and administered the oath to Mr. Newton.

As Mission Director for USAID/Mali, Newton will direct one of the largest United States aid programs in Africa totaling approximately $40 million. Mali programs aim to help Malians strengthen their democratic institutions, promote accelerated economic growth and improve education and health services.

Newton began his career with USAID/Mali in 1977 working with the agricultural office as a Project Designer/Economist. He later joined the Foreign Service in 1979, serving initially as a Project Development Officer for the USAID/Washington East Africa Projects division. In 1982, he served as a Regional Legal Advisor stationed in the Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, he also headed the democracy building program. He then served as the Deputy Mission Director for Haiti (2000-2002) and for Ghana (2002-2005).

Before joining USAID, Newton was Director of the African American Labor Center in Togo for a year, a litigation attorney for Shearman & Sterling in New York City for four years, and an agronomist for the Peace Corps in Guatemala for almost three years.

Newton, a native of Madison, Georgia, received his B.A. in political science from Brown University, his J.D. from Duke Law School, and his M.A. in economic development from New School University. He is married to Betsy Wagenhauser, a professional photographer and writer, and they have two children, Nicola (10) and Simon (6). He has penned several travel guides including the original Lonely Planet guides to West Africa and Central Africa, as well as Bangladesh, which was written with his wife.

For more information about the U.S. Agency for International Development, visit our Web site at www.usaid.gov.

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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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June 5, 2005: Special Events Vote in the NPCA Election for new board before June 15 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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