WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 10, 2013 James A. Bever was sworn in as the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Mission Director for Ghana. In this capacity he will oversee USAID’s country-specific programs in agriculture, governance, economic growth, education, and health.

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Bever served for two years as USAID Faculty in the Department of Security Strategy, for the National War College. His extensive experience includes posts as Mission Director in Egypt, West Bank and Gaza, and Afghanistan. Mr. Bever has also served USAID in its Washington D.C. headquarters as Acting Assistant to the Administrator for Afghanistan and Pakistan and Deputy Assistant Administrator for both the Middle East and Asia Near East Bureaus.

Mr. Bever first joined USAID in 1982 as a Science and Technology Officer in the Near East Bureau. In 1984, Mr. Bever became the Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Planning for USAID’s mission in Pakistan. From 1988 to 1991 he served as the Country Officer for West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and Syria. Mr. Bever subsequently served as Program Office Director in Indonesia from 1991 to 1992 before moving on to become Deputy Director for the EEU New Independent States Task Force. In 1995 Mr. Bever became Energy Office Director for the Europe and New Independent States Bureau until his departure in 1998 to serve as Deputy Mission Director for USAID’s Mission in India.

Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Bever was the Chief of Party for the Kingdom of Morocco National Energy Investment Program. He also served as Deputy Director of the Energy Management Training Program for Developing Country Senior Officers and Associate Fellow for Energy in Africa for the Overseas Development Council

Mr. Bever is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also holds two Master of Science Degrees, one from National War College in National Security Strategy and one in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Mr. Bever is also a recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Service Honor for his work.

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