U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Gayle Smith informed employees Wednesday that Wade Warren, who leads the agency’s policy bureau, will take over as acting administrator at noon on Jan. 20.
As of Tuesday most of the agency’s political appointees had departed their offices. Smith included with her note to staff a list of interim leadership appointments who will take over “until any changes are made by the Trump administration.”
In exit memo to Obama, USAID chief points to 'hard work ahead'
U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Gayle Smith shared her thoughts on what needs to happen to build "the USAID the world needs."
Warren, who has been leading USAID’s internal transition effort, was selected by Smith for the interim post — a selection approved by President Barack Obama and supported by the president-elect’s transition team, according to the email.
“During this period, USAID field operations are expected to continue normally. Mission directors and other senior officers managing units in the field are expected to sustain normal operations according to current policies, pending new direction from agency headquarters,” Smith wrote.
As soon as he assumes the presidency on Friday, Trump will have the authority to make changes to USAID’s management structure, according to the note.
“USAID is prepared for a smooth transition and continues to work closely with the President-elect's transition team,” a USAID spokesperson said in a statement to Devex.
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About the author
Michael Igoe@AlterIgoe
Michael Igoe is a Senior Reporter with Devex, based in Washington, D.C. He covers U.S. foreign aid, global health, climate change, and development finance. Prior to joining Devex, Michael researched water management and climate change adaptation in post-Soviet Central Asia, where he also wrote for EurasiaNet. Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Russian, and his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he studied international conservation and development.
