WASHINGTON, D.C. - Frederic "Rick" Scott was recently sworn in as the new U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director to Timor-Leste. Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Administrator for USAID's Asia Bureau, administered the oath of office at the swearing-in ceremony.

As Mission Director to Timor-Leste, Scott will lead one of USAID's newest missions. USAID opened an office in Timor-Leste in 2004 and opened a full Mission in 2010. During that time, USAID, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and Timorese partners, has developed a comprehensive program that improves health services, education, civil society development, and economic growth. These programs include a network of more than two dozen international and indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs in turn partner with dozens of other organizations, ensuring a USAID program that is national in scope and reaches every region of the country.

"Timor-Leste is at a critical moment as it moves towards its development goals, and I can't think of a better person to lead USAID's program, working alongside our Timorese partners, than Rick," Biswal said. Timor-Leste Ambassador to the United States Constâncio Pinto also attended the swearing-in ceremony and addressed the attendees, adding, "Rick's years of experience and sincere commitment to development are very encouraging, and Timor-Leste looks forward to working closely with Rick as the new Mission Director for Timor-Leste."

Scott has more than 19 years of experience in international economic and humanitarian development. Most recently he served as the Director of the Office of East Asian Affairs in the Asia Bureau in Washington. He also served as the Deputy Mission Director for one year and the Acting Mission Director for one year in Liberia between 2007 and 2009. Previously he served as the Supervisory Program Officer in USAID's missions in Ethiopia, Afghanistan and West Bank and Gaza. He has also served in Morocco and Russia.

Scott's career in international development began when he joined CARE following the massive cyclone that hit East Pakistan (today Bangladesh) in 1970. Prior to joining USAID in 1990, Rick also worked for CARE in Haiti, International Voluntary Services in Washington, and UNICEF in India. He graduated from Wausau East High School and holds a bachelor's degree from Ripon College and two master's degrees, one from the University of Wisconsin and the other from the School for International Training.

For more information about USAID and its programs in Timor-Leste and around the world, please visit www.usaid.gov .