Contact: USAID Press Office, 202-712-4320; Public Information, 202-712-4810

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 /Standard Newswire/ --  Paul Bonicelli took the oath of office today as the new U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Acting USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore presided over the ceremony and administered the oath.

As Assistant Administrator for LAC, Bonicelli will direct an annual budget of more than $750 million, which supports economic growth, fiscal reform, democracy building and social transition programs in 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Bonicelli will also be responsible for four regional programs, including Cuba and those in several non-presence countries in the area.

"Paul has had a distinguished career both as a public servant and also in academia," stated Acting Administrator Fore. "Without a doubt, he possesses all of the qualifications, experience and technical expertise needed to effectively lead our important efforts in the Latin American and Caribbean region."

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Administrator for LAC, Bonicelli served USAID as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. He has also served as Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Government, as well as the Chairman of the Department of Government, at Patrick Henry College in Virginia. In addition, he has held positions on Capitol Hill, in other academic institutions and in the private sector.

Bonicelli is from Memphis, Tennessee, and received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Memphis, his master's degree in public policy from Regent University in Virginia and his doctorate degree in political Science from the University of Tennessee.

For more information about USAID's programs in Latin America and the Caribbean and around the world, visit www.usaid.gov.