WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Carol J. Horning as its new Director for Guyana. Acting Administrator for Latin America Deborah Kennedy-Iraheta administered the oath of office to Ms. Horning.

As USAID's mission director in Guyana, Ms. Horning will oversee programs focused on promoting activities in the economic growth, democracy and governance, and health sectors, and will seek to assist the Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana in efforts to overcome developmental challenges facing the country. This includes supporting the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), economic activities aimed at implementing market-led approaches that promote Guyanese imports to the United States and Europe, and activities surrounding manufacture of wood products, birding tourism, agri-business, and aquaculture.

As a member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ms. Horning has served as the deputy mission director of USAID's Mission in Nicaragua. She has also worked in the areas of democracy, education, strategy, and budget in Bangladesh, Eritrea, Georgia, Haiti, and Panama. Other career achievements include regional operations in Asia and the Near East, and food aid coordination in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A graduate in Middle Eastern Studies and French from Michigan State University, Ms. Horning also holds a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington, D.C. Ms. Horning was a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. She speaks six languages including Portuguese, French, and Arabic.

For more information about USAID, please visit: www.usaid.gov.