 ACTING INS COMMISSIONER APPOINTED TO UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES
This week the INS announced that Mary Ann Wyrsch, who has been Acting Commissioner of the INS since Doris Meissner’s resignation last year, has been appointed United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. According to the High Commissioner, Dr. Ruud Lubbers, Ms. Wyrsch’s “very broad and rich management experience” will make her a particularly valuable asset to the Commission. Her appointment was fully supported by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Ms. Wyrsch will be leaving the INS in April. She has been in government service for 35 years. Before becoming Acting INS Commissioner, she was Deputy Commissioner for two years. She has also worked with the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Labor.
In a press release issued this week by the INS, Ms. Wyrsch recalled with pride her work with the INS during its period of greatest growth and she stated that she looks forward to contributing to the High Commission on Refugees. Among her primary responsibilities there will be acting as controller, supervising information systems and technology, managing financial and human resources, and supervising communication and information. She will also be called upon to represent the High Commissioner on occasion.
The new Bush Administration has not yet named its choice for INS Commissioner, although a number of names have been suggested. If no permanent replacement is found by the time Ms. Wyrsch leaves in April, a new Acting Commissioner will be named.
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