WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of John Groarke as the Agency's new mission director for Morocco. Counselor to the Agency Lisa Chiles presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office to Groarke.

"His demonstrated leadership abilities, professional integrity, and analytical skills will be invaluable to him as he leads the Morocco program. I am confident that John will be highly successful as USAID mission director in his new assignment," said Chiles.

As director, Groarke will manage programs focused on improving economic growth, access to education, and democratization and governance reforms.

A senior foreign service officer, Groarke joined the Agency in 1995 serving initially as the regional legal advisor (RLA) covering Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. He most recently served as the deputy mission director in Egypt from 2006 to 2009, overseeing the daily operations for a staff of almost 300. Groarke directed the mission's transition to a regional service center, and spent two prolonged periods as acting mission director during a very difficult period in U.S.-Egypt bilateral relations.

Prior to this, Groarke served as the deputy mission director in Iraq from 2005 to 2006 where he managed the largest program in the Agency's history with a budget of $5 billion. During this time he oversaw the historical election of Iraq's first constitutional government. From 2002 to 2005, he was the senior RLA in Egypt and Iraq, and from 1999 to 2002 he covered Nigeria, Mali, and Senegal as an RLA.

Groarke earned his Bachelor of Arts from New York University and a Master of International Relations from the London School of Economics. He also holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania.

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