Bill Werkheiser has been named the new Associate Director (AD) for the Water Resources Mission Area (WMA). He will assume this role on July 15.

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For the past five years, Werkheiser has served as the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Senior Science Advisor and Scientific Integrity Officer. Before moving to DOI in 2019, he served as the USGS Deputy Director, including more than a year exercising the delegated authority of the USGS Director at the start of the previous administration. Werkheiser has served in numerous regional and national leadership capacities in the USGS, including a prior turn as AD for Water, as Eastern Region Director, and as director of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center. His service to the USGS and the federal government was recognized with a Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive in 2016. 

Werkheiser brings a wealth of experience to the AD role. Having risen through the ranks and led at both the science center and regional levels, Werkheiser understands the Water enterprise better than anyone. From his time leading the USGS and serving the Department, he brings a broad perspective and a demonstrated commitment to collaboration across the bureau and with our wide array of partners. Recently, Werkheiser has been working across mission areas and regions to lead a bureau budget initiative focused on developing actionable tools for drought response. He has also served as a long-time instructor for USGS’s Leadership 101 and 201 courses.