WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Robert Wilson as its new Director for Pakistan. Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham presided over the event and administered the oath to Wilson.

"Pakistan is our friend and ally, and it is a critical country for USAID's work, requiring us to send only our best and brightest. I can say with confidence that Bob is truly one of our best and brightest," said Acting-Administrator Fulgham.

As the USAID Director for Pakistan, Wilson will oversee a program exceeding $580 million this fiscal year. USAID assistance in Pakistan focuses on improving education and health care, expanding political participation, increasing economic growth and job creation and improving administration of justice.

A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Wilson has spent his career serving overseas. Prior to his new post, Wilson served in Georgia, first as deputy mission director and then as mission director. He led USAID's country assistance programs for both Georgia and Azerbaijan. In August 2008, when Russia invaded and occupied Georgian territory, Wilson directed the U.S. Government's humanitarian assistance. He has since been implementing the U.S. Government's $1 billion post-war recovery program for Georgia.

Wilson was also the deputy mission director in Afghanistan from late 2002 to mid-2004, where he managed the completion of the Kabul-Kandahar highway and oversaw the expansion of the full range of USAID's development assistance programs and staff.

He entered USAID as an International Development Intern - Agricultural Economist in 1982, and has since served in Haiti, Honduras, Barbados, Peru, Mozambique, and Kosovo.

Wilson was born in Groton, Connecticut, and he remains a resident of that state. He obtained a B.A. degree from Boston College and an M.S. in agricultural economics from Purdue University.

For more information about the USAID and its programs in Pakistan, please visit www.usaid.gov.