The outgoing United States Executive Director at the African Development Bank Group, Walter C. Jones, received glowing tributes from peers who cited his commendable service to the Bank during his last regular Board meeting on Friday, October 18 in Tunis ending his three-and-a-half-year duty tour in the Bank.
The AfDB President and Board Chairman, Donald Kaberuka, said Jones helped the Bank a great deal during the financial crisis, which coincided with his assumption of office.
"Walter arrived at the Bank at a very challenging time, when we were going through tumultuous issues following the financial crisis," the President said, adding that the Executive Director also made big contributions to the Bank's risk management framework at the Audit and Finance Committee (AUFI) meetings.
"On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff, I want to thank you and to wish you well in your next steps," Kaberuka said, adding that he was sure Jones would act as the Bank's ambassador in his new activities.
For his part, Board Dean, Shehu Yahaya, praised the outgoing ED's contributions at the Board saying he was always clear, sharp and focused in his interventions.
The Dean saluted the ED's passion for promoting accountability, and advocacy for environmental sustainability.
In response, Jones described the Bank as "a wonderful institution" and thanked the Board and management for their support.
He promised to attend the Bank's 50th anniversary celebrations in Abidjan and the Annual Meetings in Kigali next year.
President Barack Obama nominated Jones as US Executive Director at the African Development Bank in November 2009, and he was confirmed by the US Senate in March 2010.
Before his appointment to the AfDB, Jones' career spanned nearly 25 years in international business, law and finance. He has participated in and led transactions worldwide, including deals in energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, and banking. He spent nearly 14 years at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Washington, DC, where he structured and closed several project finance deals, including in Vietnam, Ghana, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Romania and Thailand.
Jones has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, a law degree (J.D.) from Harvard Law School, and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the George Washington University School of Business and Management. He was admitted to bar in the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
