USO names new CEO.(United Service Organizations, Inc.))(chief executive officer)(Edward A. Powell, Jr.)(Brief Article)

Edward A. Powell, Jr., former Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has been named to head the USO (United Service Organizations, Inc.) as the organization's president and chief executive officer.

"I am honored to be working with such a distinguished and dynamic organization," Mr. Powell said. "The USO is an integral part of our country's relationship with our service men and women."

Mr. Powell is a Richmond, Va., native who began his career as U.S. Navy yeoman. Following military service, he used his GI Bill benefits to earn his BA in economics from Washington and Lee University and his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Since buying his first company at the age of 31, Mr. Powell has gained respect as a highly experienced executive and leader during his 25 years of public and private sector expertise.

Mr. Powell was nominated by President Clinton to serve as Assistant Secretary for Financial Management before being promoted to Deputy Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he managed 220 employees with an annual budget of $48 billion. Under his leadership, the VA received its first-ever clean audit opinion, resulting in his being awarded the VA's Exceptional Service Award and named as Distinguished Federal Executive for 2000 by the Association of Government Accountants.