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Bush taps Arkansas man to lead federal agency Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - President Bush on Friday named former Arkansas economic development director Larry Walther to head the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Walther, of Little Rock, would lead an independent federal agency that provides grants and other financial assistance to developing countries. His appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. Walther, 60, would replace Thelma Askey, who resigned in April. His tenure as director of the Trade and Development Agency likely will be short, since President Bush leaves office in 14 months. Walther did not return a telephone message left at his home Friday afternoon. A spokeswoman for the USTDA said the agency has about 50 federal employees. The agency awards grants for overseas projects, but require grantees to employ U.S.-based companies to complete any grant-funded work. USTDA, created in 1981, also provides technical assistance for countries that seek to develop greater trade capacity. In fiscal 2006, the agency spent a total of $48 million in 51 countries. Walther was appointed by then-Gov. Mike Huckabee in November 2003 as director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. He was replaced by Maria Haley in February. Haley was appointed to the job by new Gov. Mike Beebe. Before taking the state position, Walther was an advisor to SBC Arkansas as a public affairs consultant with Public Strategies, Inc. Before that, he was an executive for SBC's predecessor, Southwestern Bell, and served as chairman of the SBC Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. |
