Sierra Leone RPCV Mike Kelleher to teach democracy in Republic of Georgia



Sierra Leone RPCV Mike Kelleher to teach democracy in Republic of Georgia

Kelleher to teach democracy in Republic of Georgia

By Kurt Erickson
kerickson@springnet1.com
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SPRINGFIELD -- A familiar face in Central Illinois politics and government is leaving for a job overseas.

Mike Kelleher, an unsuccessful candidate for Congress and lieutenant governor, has taken a new job in the Republic of Georgia.

The 43-year-old Normal resident, who has spent the last 17 months working for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, will depart the U.S. in early March for a one-year assignment as country director for the National Democratic Institute's programs in the former Soviet bloc nation.

"It's going to be an incredible challenge," said Kelleher, who has prior international experience from his days in the Peace Corps.

Kelleher, who was an instructor at Illinois State University before joining Blagojevich's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in October 2003, will concentrate his efforts on training members of parliament and other groups on democratic processes.

"It wasn't something that was on my radar screen," said Kelleher, who will oversee a staff of about 12 employees.

But, he said he was approached about the position and decided to pursue the opportunity without having ever been to the country.

The Republic of Georgia, which lies north of Turkey between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, is roughly the size of South Carolina. His wife, Karin, and their three children will follow him to the capital city of Tblisi after he gets their housing situation established.

Karin, a professional violinist, is hoping to play in one of the city's orchestras or small ensembles. The children will attend an English-speaking school, but have already begun reviewing Russian language tapes.

"Karin is excited about the adventure," said Kelleher.

In his job with the state, Kelleher oversaw one of ten economic development regions of the state. He was charged with carrying out the governor's plan to create jobs in an area that include Bloomington, Normal and Peoria. His salary was $71,004 annually.

In 2000, Kelleher made an unsuccessful bid for Congress against U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson of Urbana. When congressional district boundaries were redrawn, Kelleher's base of support was split between the 15th Congressional District and the 11th Congressional District.

In 2002, rather than run for Congress again, Kelleher opted to seek the lieutenant governor's post. He was outpolled in the Democratic primary by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

A spokesman for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity did not know when a replacement for Kelleher would be named.

When this story was posted in February 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Peace Corps Library Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 27,000 index entries in 430 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can use the Main Index to find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today.

Bush's FY06 Budget for the Peace Corps The White House is proposing $345 Million for the Peace Corps for FY06 - a $27.7 Million (8.7%) increase that would allow at least two new posts and maintain the existing number of volunteers at approximately 7,700. Bush's 2002 proposal to double the Peace Corps to 14,000 volunteers appears to have been forgotten. The proposed budget still needs to be approved by Congress.

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February 5, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Peace Corps swears in 12 new Country Directors 4 Feb Kenneth Hawkinson studies oral traditions of Mali 4 Feb Tony Hall urges politicians to bring religious faith to office 4 Feb Dodd opposes Gonzales nomination 3 Feb Dr. Robert Zeigler to head Rice Research Institute 3 Feb Taylor Hackford going into television with "E-Ring" 2 Feb President Bush's past promises in State of the Union 1 Feb Moreigh Wolf says gays cannot volunteer with partners 1 Feb Coleman to chair Peace Corps Subcommittee 1 Feb Vasquez assesses need in Southeast Asia 31 Jan James Bullington says Bush Inaugural speaks to PC 31 Jan Allen Andersson creates foundation to promote libraries 31 Jan Joseph Opala to film "Priscilla's Homecoming" 31 Jan Donna Shalala embarks on aggressive UM expansion 31 Jan Thomas Dichter says Poor Countries Need Smarter Aid 30 Jan Alberto Ibargüen to head Knight Foundation 28 Jan Helen Sheehy organizes "Endangered Peoples" exhibit 28 Jan

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Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."

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Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?

The World's Broken Promise to our Children Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

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