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National Peace Corps Association > News > Community News > Bolivia, Chile, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Philippines, Uzbekistan
Bolivia, Chile, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Philippines, Uzbekistan
By JoAnna Haugen on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
BOLIVIA
Michael McGuire (67-69), president of the Tracy Camera Club, received Best of Show honors and a monetary prize for his photograph “Oporto, Portugal” at the Delicato Family Vineyards’ 15th annual photography show. He also received an honorable mention award at the show. In 2009, McGuire won first prize in the travel category.
CHILE
Jan Knippers Black (62-64) has been elected to the board of directors of Amnesty International USA. She is a professor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and longtime human rights advocate. Black’s research focuses on human rights, and her most recent published book is “The Politics of Human Rights Protection.”
THE GAMBIA
Sgt. Deborah Johnson (95-97) was recently promoted to the position of captain of the police force in Longview, Washington. She is the first female to be named to the position. Johnson has been on the Longview force for twelve years. Prior to her service there, she served as a school resource officer, detective in the criminal investigations division, community services unit supervisor and patrol supervisor. She serves on the board of directors for the Emergency Support Shelter and has served on the board for the Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition. Johnson was named officer of the year in 2007.
GHANA
Dave Gerberding recently became the business manager for the Somerset School District in Wisconsin. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
LESOTHO
Jed Hendee has been selected as the next principal of Las Cruces High School. Prior to this engagement, he was the principal at Zia Middle School. He has also been a middle school science, social studies and computer applications teacher. Other administrative positions Hendee has held include assistant principal and hearing administrator for the Gallup McKinley County School District. He is currently working on a doctorate degree from New Mexico State University.
MADAGASCAR
The Online News Association recently named Laura Amico (06-07) a 2011 MJ Bear Fellow. The award is given to journalists under 30 whose innovative work in independent, community and corporate news represents the best of new media. Amico is the founder and editor of Homicide Watch D.C., which covers every homicide in the national’s capital. Prior to this, she served as a freelance reporter for Creative Ink, worked with the Register-Pajaronian in Watsonville, California, and was a police reporter for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Amico received the New York Times Chairman’s Award in 2009. She was selected for the Knight Digital Media News Entrepreneurs Bootcamp and named a Guggenheim Fellow in 2011. Amico is a graduate of the University of California in Santa Cruz.
MALAYSIA
Mark Davalos is the new superintendent for the St. Helens School District in Oregon. Prior to this position, Davalos was the deputy superintendent for the Portland School District and principal of Sprague High School in Salem. He is a graduate of the University of La Verne.
MALAYSIA
Dr. Edwin C. Price has been named the first holder of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation Chair in Conflict and Development at Texas A&M University. He is currently the associate vice chancellor for international agriculture, director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and a professor in the department of agricultural economics. Price has been active in conflict-prone countries throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East for many years.
MOZAMBIQUE
Village Enterprise has hired Konstantin Zvereff (05-07) as its senior director of programs and operations in Kakamega, Kenya. The company is involved with rural microenterprise development, and Zvereff will be tasked with helping to start small businesses, oversee the development of pilot projects and manage partnerships with other community-based organizations. Prior to this position, Zvereff worked as the director of operations of a Bear Stearns/JP Morgan joint venture and as an independent consultant for Developing World Markets. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and his master’s degree from Georgetown University.
PHILIPPINES
Michael Abrahams is the recipient of the John A. Roebling Medal, which recognizes an individual for lifetime achievement in bridge engineering. Currently the technical director of structures for Parsons Brinckerhoff, Abrahams career in planning, design and construction of all types of bridges spans 46 years. Significant roles include project engineer for the Admiral Clarey Bridge in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; project manager for the George P. Coleman Bridge replacement in Virginia; design manager for the Arthur Ravenel, Jr., Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina; project manager for the east-half replacement of the Hood Canal Bridge in Washington; and project manager for construction engineering services for the replacement of the superstructure on the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, Canada.
UZBEKISTAN
Rhett Power’s (00-01) science-oriented toy company, Wild Creations, has received a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. The company is also being listed in Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing U.S. companies. In addition, Power was named a finalist for this year’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur for the Year 2011 Award by the Carolinas regional Ernst & Young committee. As part of its hiring process, Wild Creations supports the Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs Board by providing employment opportunities to those with special needs.
Congrats, Deb!