In March 2011, Robert Wuertz assumed his post as Mission Director in Macedonia. Mr. Wuertz manages a project portfolio of over $100 million supporting economic growth, democracy and local governance, and education. USAID programs address Macedonia’s main challenges to reduce poverty, revive the economy, create jobs, promote private sector-led growth and local government reform. These efforts are helping the country to advance its transition to a stable and prosperous democracy, and support Macedonia’s entry into the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Mr. Wuertz has a long history with USAID. Before arriving in Skopje, he was the Deputy Mission Director in Iraq, where he frequently served as Acting Mission Director. In addition to managing USAID’s $7 billion multi-sector portfolio, he also oversaw operation of USAID’s self-contained compound in Baghdad.
From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Wuertz served as the Policy and Private Sector Office Director for the USAID mission in Cairo, where he supervised USAID/Egypt’s economic reform cash transfer program, Commodity Import Program and economic policy reform technical assistance activities. He also served as Acting Deputy Director in Cairo from July to September, 2009.
Prior to that, Mr. Wuertz served as Supervisory Program Officer in Pakistan (2007 to 2008), Chief of the Office of Economic Development and Governance in Manila (2003 to 2007), Governance Officer in Manila (2000 to 2003), Supervisory Program Economist in Cairo (1994 to 2000), and Program Economist in Ghana (1990 to 1994).
Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Wuertz worked for the U.S. Treasury as an Economic Advisor seconded to the Saudi Arabian Minister of Finance in Riyadh. He also worked in the private sector in a variety of positions focusing on economic, social and energy issues.
Mr. Wuertz holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia, and a B.A. from Cornell University.