The National Peace Corps Association has been informed that President Obama will nominate Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) Aaron Williams (Dominican Republic, 1967 – 1970) as the next Director of the Peace Corps.
(See White House press release here.)
"Aaron Williams, as an RPCV who served in the Dominican Republic and a life-long development practitioner and consummate partnership builder, will bring an invaluable set of skills and experiences to the Directorship of the Peace Corps,” says National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigley.
“Aaron also understands deeply that the Peace Corps community is a valued ally in assisting the agency achieve its mission of making a more peaceful and prosperous world. Once he is confirmed by the Senate and takes up his position, we will be closer to a bolder Peace Corps, one that that fulfills more of the agency's promise."
Williams currently serves on the board of the National Peace Corps Association and is the Vice President for International Business Development with RTI International.
Williams has over 25 years of experience that spans policy formulation, strategic planning and the design and implementation of various development assistance programs. In his role as a senior USAID manager, where he attained the rank of Career Minister in the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Williams provided policy and program leadership to major government organizational units, both in headquarters and field assignments (e.g. Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, and a $1 billion bilateral assistance program in South Africa). Mr. Williams has led project design teams in several countries, working in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Africa, and Asia. Both at USAID and subsequently as Executive Vice President at the International Youth Foundation, he created and managed innovative public-private partnerships between global corporations, government entities (USG and host country), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international foundations.
Williams has served as a member on several Boards, including the Institute for Sustainable Communities, the Society for International Development-Washington, D.C. and the Pan American Development Foundation. Williams is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Williams is a Chicago State University graduate and received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin.
Peace Corps Director nominee Aaron Williams (Dominican Rep. 67-70) (center) with NPCA Board member Hope Johnson (Malaysia 77-80) (left) and NPCA President Kevin Quigley (Thailand 76-79) (right) at the NPCA's recent Celebration of Service.
From Iraq...One of the great things that will happen for the Peace Corps is Having Mr. Williams as Director. As it’s not so common to find the experience, wisdom, outstanding intellectual skills and unique leadership personality assembled in one person, I worked with Aaron in Iraq/ Baghdad. He is Brilliant. Congratulation Peace Corps…Dr Ali Mohammed
Posted by: Dr Ali A. Mohammed | February 24, 2010 at 05:03 AM
I wish you good luck and all the strength to help volunteers to do the best for their country.
Posted by: Roger Landry ,Zambia ll | July 17, 2009 at 02:05 PM
It's nice to again have an RPCV as PC Director, and more importantly, someone who has such a wealth of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including serving on the NPCA Board! Looking forward to seeing great things happen under his leadership, and with the support of a President who values peace-making service to America.
Posted by: Karen Keefer | July 14, 2009 at 04:23 PM
What a wonderful choice! We finally have someone who really is committed to the Third Goal of the Peace Corps and who has enough experience to directly relate to Volunteers all over the globe. Congratulations Mr. President for your insight, and to Aaron on your appointment. You will do an outstanding job! Please let us all know how we can help.
Dave Magnani,NPCA Northeast Representative
Sierra Leone '68-'71
Kenya (Staff) '82-'83
Posted by: Dave Magnani | July 14, 2009 at 03:25 PM