Washington, DC – Today, Dr. Robert E. Wuertz was sworn in as the new Mission Director for Macedonia for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The oath was administered by USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah.

During his distinguished career with USAID, Wuertz has served at various Missions. Most recently, he was the Deputy Mission Director in Iraq where he oversaw its multi-sector portfolio from 2009-2010. In Cairo, he held the position of Office Director for the Policy and Private Sector Office. Other positions include: Supervisory Program Officer in Pakistan, Chief of the Office of Economic Development and Governance in the Philippines, Supervisory Program Economist in Egypt and Program Economist in Ghana. Prior to his career at USAID, he was an Economic Advisor at the United States Treasury Department where he advised the Saudi Minister of Finance on a broad range of economic issues. He also managed a rate case group for New Jersey Bell and worked as an Economic Analyst for Exxon.

Wuertz received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia.

As Mission Director for Macedonia, Wuertz will oversee USAID’s programs to support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy, more fully integrated in Euro-Atlantic structures and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

During the ceremony, Wuertz remarked, “I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to join the Europe and Eurasia Bureau and contribute to the excellent work that USAID has been doing in Macedonia. I look forward to working with the entire US Government team in Skopje to further strengthen our strong relations with Macedonia and assist in the country’s historic and remarkable progress.”

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