USAGM Board of Governors announces CEO for interim period

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Agency for Global Media's (USAGM) Board of Governors is pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2019, Grant Turner, currently USAGM's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of USAGM on an interim basis until the President appoints a Senate-confirmed CEO.

"We are confident he will provide strong leadership during this time of transition," said Board Chairman Kenneth Weinstein. "Grant's strong management and process-driven background is exactly what we need to continue building on our achievements, increasing our impact and advancing our strategic plan."

"Grant has earned the respect of our Board, senior management team and employees since joining the agency and has the Board's full confidence as he takes on the role of CEO," said current CEO John F. Lansing.

Prior to joining USAGM as CFO in February 2016, Turner served as the Budget Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and as the Budget Director for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in Washington, D.C. Turner also worked for six years at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) where he was assigned to the National Security Division and the Office of the Deputy Director for Management. He is a 1989 graduate of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and holds a Master's in Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a Master's in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Turner succeeds outgoing CEO and Director John F. Lansing, who previously announced his departure from the agency at the end of September to become CEO of National Public Radio (NPR). John Barkhamer, currently USAGM's Deputy CFO, will serve as Acting CFO.

While serving as CEO during this interim period, Turner will work closely with Steve Capus, Senior Advisor to the CEO with extensive knowledge and proficiency in journalism and production, and Matt Walsh, Deputy Director for Operations, as well as USAGM's network leadership and senior management.

(Press Release)