The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has a new director for the first time in more than six years. Bryan Mercier, BS ’97, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, began serving as “acting” director of the BIA on September 8, according to a news release. He will be permanently assigned to the position once Darryl LaCounte, the current director, retires from federal service later this year.