Alfonso E. Lenhardt

Al Lenhardt
Lenhardt in 2009
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
Acting
February 19, 2015 – December 2, 2015
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byRajiv Shah
Succeeded byGayle Smith
17th United States Ambassador to Tanzania
In office
November 12, 2009 – October 9, 2013
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byMark Andrew Green
Succeeded byMark B. Childress
36th Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate
In office
September 4, 2001 – March 16, 2003
LeaderTom Daschle
Trent Lott
Bill Frist
Preceded byJames Ziglar
Succeeded byWilliam H. Pickle
Personal details
Born (1943-10-29) October 29, 1943 (age 81)
Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.[1]
EducationUniversity of Nebraska, Lincoln (BS)
Central Michigan University (MA)
Wichita State University (MS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1965-1997
Rank Major General
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Bronze Star

Alfonso E. Lenhardt (born October 29, 1943)[1][2] represented the United States as Ambassador to Tanzania from 2009 to 2013. He was also accredited as the US representative to the East African Community (EAC) in 2010.[3] He left his post in October 2013.[4] From 2001 to 2003, he served as Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate. From 1965 to 1997, he had a distinguished military career in the U.S. Army, with multiple assignments to various parts of the world, retiring as a highly decorated Major General.

Born in New York City,[1] Lenhardt earned a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska. Lenhardt later received an M.A. degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and an M.S. degree in the Administration of Justice from Wichita State University.[3]

Maj. Gen. Lenhardt in 1994

Commissioned as an infantry officer in October 1966, Lenhardt commanded a platoon in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart and two Air Medals.[5] After returning to the United States, he continued his career commanding and training military police detachments.[2][6] Approved for promotion to major general in August 1993,[7] he retired from active duty in August 1997.[3] Among his other military honors were the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit and three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal.[8]

On September 18, 2014, Lenhardt was confirmed to be the Deputy Administrator of the Agency for International Development.[9] Following the departure of USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah in February 2015, Lenhardt assumed the role of acting administrator.[10] Gayle Smith, President Barack Obama's nominee to be Shah's permanent successor, was confirmed by the Senate on November 30, 2015, and assumed the role of administrator on December 2, 2015.[11][12][13]

Cumulatively, Lenhardt served over 40 years in various government positions throughout his career. Beginning with his service as a young U.S. Army draftee in 1965, he had increasingly higher levels of responsibility and distinction in service to the Nation.

  1. ^ a b c "Birth Certificate". No. 35013. New York City Department of Health. 1943.
  2. ^ a b US Army Register: Regular Army Active List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1972. p. 253.
  3. ^ a b c "Ambassador | Embassy of the United States Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
  4. ^ "Ceort Bids Farewell to US Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt". Corporate Digest.
  5. ^ "Alfonso E. Lenhardt". The OCS Alumni Association. 1991. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  6. ^ "Major General Alfonso E. Lenhardt". Military Police Regimental Association. 2016. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  7. ^ "PN166 — 103rd Congress (1993-1994) — Army". U.S. Congress. August 6, 1993. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  8. ^ "Biography: Major General Alfonso E. Lenhardt". University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library. July 1994. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  9. ^ "Statement from Administrator Shah on the Confirmation of Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt as USAID Deputy Administrator September 18, 2014". Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  10. ^ "5 parting thoughts from Rajiv Shah". Devex.com. 13 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Senate Confirms Gayle E. Smith as Head of USAID". The New York Times. November 30, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "U.S. Senate's Confirmation of Gayle Smith as Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development". United States Department of State. November 30, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "Gayle E. Smith". United States Agency for International Development. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.