May 11, 2002 - PCOL Exclusive: Updated Story: New Appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2002: 05 May 2002 Peace Corps Headlines: May 11, 2002 - PCOL Exclusive: Updated Story: New Appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 5:25 pm: Edit Post

Updated Story: New Appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters





Read and comment on our story about new appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters which includes information from the Peace Corps Press Office and from other sources. PCOL wishes the new appointees the best in their new responsibilities. Read the story at:

Updated Story: New Appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Updated Story: New Appointments at Peace Corps Headquarters

Peace Corps announced four new senior staff appointments on May 9. The appointments were Christine Arnold as Associate Director of Management, Judy Van Rest as Regional Director for the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia Region, Michelle Brooks as Deputy Director of the Office of Congressional Relations, and Amanda Host as Special Assistant to Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez.

The IRI Connection

Two of the new appointees previously worked at the International Republican Institute (IRI) a nonprofit think tank based in Washington DC. Despite it's name, the IRI is not directly affiliated with the Republican party. Although the IRI's Board of Directors includes prominent Republicans including John McCain, Lawrence S. Eagleburger, Chuck Hagel, Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Bob Livingston and Brent Scowcroft, according to its web page its programs are nonpartison in nature as it works "to promote democracy and strengthen free markets and the rule of law. The programs are tailored to the needs of pro-democracy activists in over 30 countries and include, grassroots political organizing, campaign management, polling, parliamentary training, judicial reform and election monitoring. "

Lloyd Pierson, the Chief of Staff at the Peace Corps also worked at the IRI prior to coming to the Peace Corps. Widely considered by outside observers as one of the most influential voices within the Peace Corps, Mr. Pierson directed the Peace Corps as Acting Deputy Director for over four months after Chuck Bacquet's resignation on October 1, 2001 until Gaddi Vasquez was confirmed and sworn in as Director on February 15 of this year.

The new appointees and their backgrounds

Christine Arnold is the new Associate Director of Management. Ms. Arnold has been the head of the Sonoma County Planning Department since 1997 and has been an associate and a personal friend of Director Gaddi Vasquez for more than 20 years. In her new position, Arnold will oversee a variety of administrative functions including payroll and procurement. Ms. Arnold has held numerous positions at the most senior levels of county and state government. Most recently, she has served as the director of permit and resource management in Sonoma county, California. From 1992-97, she served as the county administrative officer for Humboldt county, California. In 1990, she was named director of the California department of aging and managed an annual budget in excess of $130 million. She is a past president of the County Administrative Officers Association of California and brings to the Peace Corps over 30 years of executive and management experience in public agencies.

Judy Van Rest had been acting as Associate Director of Management. Now with Christine Arnold's appointment, Ms. Van Rest will become Regional Director for the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia Region. She has held a variety of management positions in the federal government and with non-profit organizations including Regional Director for CIS Programs at the International Republican Institute (IRI). She also served as chief of staff for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the agency that sets policy for personnel issues guiding the federal civilian work force. She has held management positions with the United States Agency for International Development and also served former President Bush as deputy to the special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs.

Michelle Brooks is the new Deputy Director of the Office of Congressional Relations. Ms. Brooks has served as vice president of government relations for the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks in Washington, DC. She has extensive experience in the governmental relations sector including service with the Manufactured Housing Institute and the Western Mobilehome Parkowners Association in California. She has served as a legislative aide to a California state assemblyman and brings a wealth of private and public sector experience to this position.

Amanda Host has been appointed Special Assistant to the Director of the Peace Corps. Ms. Host has most recently served as the senior manager for external affairs at the International Republican Institute (IRI). Prior to her current position at IRI, she was assistant to the president and vice president of IRI. Her past experience includes television production and writer and editor for the Tallahassee magazine and the Tallahassee Democrat. She is a graduate of Florida State University where she earned a bachelor of science degree at the college of human sciences. Ms. Host lived and studied in Italy, France, and Romania.



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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Special Reports; Peace Corps Washington

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By Vivian Miller (adsl-068-153-241-170.sip.int.bellsouth.net - 68.153.241.170) on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 10:47 am: Edit Post

Do you think the peace corps will be ever be based in Afghanistan again? It seems that the people in Afghanistan need and would benefit from the services the peace corps would offer to help in the rebuilding process, especially the women. I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers including myself. I have never been in the peace corps but it is something I have given a lot of thought to.

By Vivian Miller (adsl-068-153-241-170.sip.int.bellsouth.net - 68.153.241.170) on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 10:47 am: Edit Post

Do you think the peace corps will be ever be based in Afghanistan again? It seems that the people in Afghanistan need and would benefit from the services the peace corps would offer to help in the rebuilding process, especially the women. I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers including myself. I have never been in the peace corps but it is something I have given a lot of thought to.

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-41-108.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.41.108) on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 12:02 pm: Edit Post

Read our story When should Peace Corps return to Afghanistan?.

Best Regards,


Admin1


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