Larry W. Walther, Director
Larry W. Walther was sworn in as the Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on March 17, 2008. The assumption of his duties follows his confirmation by the United States Senate on March 14, 2008 and official appointment by President George W. Bush.
Director Walther brings broad private sector expertise to USTDA in helping to open commercial opportunities for U.S. firms overseas and in facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. There, he was responsible for the overall direction and management of the Department and for representing the Governor and the State on all matters concerning statewide issues of economic development.
Previously, Director Walther had an extensive career with SBC Communications, now AT&T. Starting as a Switching Engineer for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1970, he concluded his 30-year career at SBC as the Vice President for Corporate Services and Chairman of the SBC Foundation. In that capacity, he oversaw a philanthropic organization that managed $67.4 million in community and charity giving. In 1989, he was chosen as one of 20 private sector executives to serve a one-year appointment to the Bush Administration and was assigned to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Mr. Walther has served on the Board of Trustees of the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri, since 1992, serving as the Chairman of the Board from 2001 until 2007. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of Arkansas Easter Seals. He has also been a member of the Executive Board for Quapaw Area Boy Scouts, the University Of Arkansas Walton School Of Business Board Of Visitors, Downtown Little Rock Rotary, the University Of Arkansas Medical Sciences BioVentures Advisory Board, the Arkansas Policy Foundation, the Southern Technology Council, and the Little Rock Sertoma Club. He is also actively involved in the Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Larry and Janice, his wife of over 37 years, have two grown children, Bill and Mandy, and six grandchildren.
