Washington • The director of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has resigned after six months on the job.
Bryan Rice, a veteran federal administrator and citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, resigned earlier this week, a BIA spokeswoman said Friday. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke named Rice to the post in October.
BIA spokeswoman Nedra Darling did not offer a reason why Rice resigned and declined further comment.
LaCounte, who is based in Billings, Mont., is an experienced leader who will “maintain a smooth transition” for BIA employees and tribal nations, Darling said.