Interview with Gaddi Vasquez
The core of the Peace Corps
BY NINA WU
Of The Examiner Staff
Formerly a vice president of public affairs for Southern California Edison and an Orange County supervisor, Gaddi Vasquez is now director of the Peace Corps. He was nominated by President George Bush and sworn in Feb. 15, 2002. Vasquez is the first Hispanic American to hold the position.
Nina Wu: What do you see as your role as director of the Peace Corps?
Gaddi Vasquez: One of the key roles is to provide the leadership in building a framework to grow and expand the Peace Corps in the 21st century. (The goal is to double the number of volunteers from 7,000 to 14,000 by the end of 2007.)
Q: There was controversy over your nomination because you weren't a Peace Corps volunteer yourself. Why do you think you're qualified?
A: I've been involved in community-based organizations and organizations that have done work overseas for a long, long time.
More importantly, I've always had an admiration for the Peace Corps. I was very young when I was struck by the mission and the honorable goals of the Peace Corps. But my economic conditions and my standing did not allow me to be able to serve in the Peace Corps.
Q: Did you want to join at one point in time?
A: I had a great interest because I thought it was one of the most honorable, decent things you could ever do.
I was a kid. I was struck by the peaceful message.
Q: How has the war on terrorism affected the morale of Peace Corps volunteers? Is there more fear or has it mobilized more people to join?
A: I think the response of Americans has been to seek out opportunities for service.
The Peace Corps is enjoying a dramatic increase in the number of applications because Americans, for the most part, want to contribute to the betterment of the world.
Q: What are the determining factors for whether or not the Peace Corps will reopen programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan?
A: It's not unique to Afghanistan and Pakistan, but in any country where we would consider placing volunteers, safety and security is priority one. Unless a country meets our criteria for safety and security, we will not place volunteers in that country.
Q: Will the Peace Corps be increasing its presence in the Islamic world?
A: We have always had a presence in the Islamic world.
About 23 percent of our volunteers serve in Muslim countries and, consequently, we have a presence and we will look forward to potential expansion in other Muslim countries.
Q: As the first Hispanic American to serve as director of the Peace Corps, do you feel that you represent that community?
A: I don't consider myself to be the Hispanic Peace Corps director. I consider myself to be the Peace Corps director who happens to be Hispanic.
Q: Your parents were farmworkers and you were the first family member to go to college.
A: They worked in the field. My mother was the one who believed that education was a path to achieving a better life and a better quality of life. Education was a significant priority.
She instilled in us a value system that required a commitment and discipline to education.
Q: When did you become a Republican?
A: As long as I can remember.
E-mail: nwu@sfexaminer.com
Leading the Peace
Age: 47
Hometown: Orange
Words to Live By: The testings of life are sent to make us and not to break us
College: Chapman University and University of Redlands
Major: Public service management
First Job: Police officer in Orange
