TMCnet News
IRD appoints new leader [Jerusalem Post (Israel)](Jerusalem Post (Israel) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) U.S.-based nonprofit International Relief and Development announced Tuesday that Roger Michael Ervin will be its new president and CEO. He will lead the transition from a founder-led organization to one that focuses more on program execution and measurable results and will take over from interim IRD leader Kris Manos on Dec. 1. Manos has been serving in an interim capacity since July, when longtime IRD chief executive officer Arthur B. Keys announced his retirement and later joined the Council on Foreign Relations. Ervin, with over 25 years of experience including executive positions at the U.S. Department of State and the African Development Bank, was currently a vice president with the government consulting firm LMI. "My vision for IRD is that it be a most trusted partner to its donors and beneficiaries alike, and that it operate with transparency, integrity, and the highest standards of business ethics and compliance," the organization's new president and CEO said in a statement. Meanwhile Roland Johnson, chairman of the board, noted that Ervin's "knowledge of government, the nonprofit sector and global development issues is unsurpassed." The organization came under fire in May, when the U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko revealed separate investigations into IRD's activities in Afghanistan and Iraq. Media reports at the time claimed that IRD — one of USAID's largest implementing partners — was targeted for allegedly awarding sizable bonuses to members of the founding family and other senior employees, its habit — not unusual in the industry — of hiring former USAID staff members and requiring employees to sign confidentiality agreements warning them against making critical statements about the organization to any government. The probe led to extensive damage control efforts to prevent further tarnishing IRD's reputation. All rights reserved (c) 2014 The Jerusalem Post Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |