The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001.  Please see www.state.gov for material released since President George W. Bush took office on that date.  This site is not updated so external links may no longer function.  Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Director of the U.S. Information Agency

Creation of this Position

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Theodore C. Streibert
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Aug 4, 1953
Entered on Duty: Aug 5, 1953
Termination of Appointment: Nov 15, 1956

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Arthur Larson
State of Residency: Pennsylvania
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Nov 14, 1956
Entered on Duty: Dec 18, 1956
Termination of Appointment: Oct 27, 1957
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Feb 21, 1957.

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: George V. Allen
State of Residency: North Carolina
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Nov 15, 1957
Entered on Duty: Nov 15, 1957
Termination of Appointment: Dec 1, 1960
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 27, 1958.

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Edward R. Murrow
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Mar 15, 1961
Entered on Duty: Mar 15, 1961
Termination of Appointment: Jan 20, 1964

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Carl T. Rowan
State of Residency: Minnesota
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 27, 1964
Entered on Duty: Feb 28, 1964
Termination of Appointment: Jul 10, 1965

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Leonard H. Marks
State of Residency: District of Colombia
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jul 22, 1965
Entered on Duty: Sep 1, 1965
Termination of Appointment: Dec 6, 1968

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Frank J. Shakespeare, Jr.
State of Residency: Connecticut
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 7, 1969
Entered on Duty: Feb 14, 1969
Termination of Appointment: Feb 7, 1973

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: James Keough
State of Residency: Connecticut
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Feb 8, 1973
Entered on Duty: Feb 8, 1973
Termination of Appointment: Nov 30, 1976

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: John E. Reinhardt
State of Residency: Maryland
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Mar 23, 1977
Entered on Duty: Mar 23, 1977
Termination of Appointment: Appointed Director of the International Communication Agency Mar 27, 1978

Title: Director of the International Communication Agency
Name: John E. Reinhardt
State of Residency: Maryland
Foreign Service officer
Appointment: Mar 27, 1978
Entered on Duty: Apr 3, 1978
Termination of Appointment: Aug 29, 1980

Title: Director of the International Communication Agency
Name: Charles Z. Wick
State of Residency: California
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Jun 9, 1981
Entered on Duty: Jun 9, 1981
Termination of Appointment: Jan 20, 1989
Note: Agency title changed back to U.S. Information Agency, Aug 24, 1982.

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Bruce S. Gelb
State of Residency: New York
Non-career appointee
Appointment: Apr 14, 1989
Entered on Duty: Apr 14, 1989
Termination of Appointment: Mar 20, 1991

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Henry E. Catto
State of Residency: Texas
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 9, 1991
Entered on Duty: Jun 7, 1991
Termination of Appointment: Jan 1993

Title: Director of the U.S. Information Agency
Name: Joseph D. Duffy
State of Residency: West Virginia
Non-career appointee
Appointment: May 25, 1993
Entered on Duty: Jun 3, 1993

---

Creation of Position: Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1953 (67 Stat. 642) established the U.S. Information Agency to disseminate abroad information about the United States, its people, culture, and policies as authorized by the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 as amended (62 Stat. 6). Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977 (91 Stat. 1636) abolished the USIA and established a new International Communication Agency, effective Apr 1, 1978. The ICA reverted to its earlier title under P.L. 97-241 of Aug 24, 1982 (96 Stat. 291). The U.S. Information Agency, which is known overseas as the U.S. Information Service, is responsible for the U.S. Government's overseas information and cultural programs, including the Voice of America. All Directors of the U.S. Information Agency and the International Communication Agency have been appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

[end of document]

                    List of Offices || Historian's Office Home Page || DOSFAN Home Page