Lit Tazewell began his assignment as the Deputy Mission Director for USAID/Southern Africa for in August 2012.  Mr. Tazewell has responsibility for regional programs which increase trade and strengthen regional economic ties, address the HIV/AIDS crisis, mitigate food insecurity, and support democratic processes. USAID’s regional program is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, and complements country-specific programs by addressing cross-border issues and common development needs.Prior to South Africa, Mr. Tazewell served as the Senior Advisor to the USAID General Counsel on Implementation and Procurement Reform from 2010-2012.  Mr. Tazewell’s previous overseas posts include serving as the USAID Mission Director in Panama from 2008-2010, and as the Regional Legal Advisor in Kazakhstan from 2005-2008 and Guatemala from 2002-2008. 

 

Before entering the Foreign Service in 2000, Mr. Tazewell worked as a corporate transactional lawyer in New Haven, Connecticut, and previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. 

 

Mr. Tazewell received his Juris Doctorate from the College of William and Mary 1991 and a Masters of Laws Degree in International Trade and Development from the University of London in 1992.  

 

Mr. Tazewell is married to Mary Carol Tazewell and they have two children: a son Henry and a daughter Leona Paige.