WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate confirmed Eric G. Postel as USAID's Assistant Administrator for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade (EGAT) on March 3, 2011.

Nominated by President Obama in January, Postel joins USAID's leadership team with a vision to shape EGAT's programmatic efforts and to further advance the goals and reforms expressed in the Presidential Policy Directives (PPD), Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) and USAID Forward (USAID Forward Overview). By fostering new working relationships and maintaining existing partnerships, Postel will direct EGAT's activities toward a standard of technical excellence.

Postel is an experienced economic development expert and financier with a background in emerging markets investments. He has worked in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East as an advisor and financial officer. In 2006, he served as Commissioner on the bi-partisan Senate Helping to Enhance the Livelihood of People Around the Globe (HELP) Commission. He is a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and graduate of Wesleyan University and Stanford Graduate School of Business.

For more information about USAID, visit www.usaid.gov.