June 27, 2004

WASHINGTON—The members of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace elected J. Robinson (Robin) West as their new Chair on July 22. West will take over from Dr. Chester A. Crocker, Schlesinger Professor of Security Studies at Georgetown University, who has served as Chair since 1992. María Otero was elected the new Vice Chair of the Institute's Board, replacing Seymour Martin Lipset, Hazel Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at George Mason University.

West is Chairman of the Board and founder of PFC Energy, an international energy consulting company that advises clients in the oil and gas industry on corporate strategy, portfolio management, acquisitions, divestitures and investor relations. Prior to launching PFC, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Budget and Administration, and as a First Vice President in the investment banking firm of Blyth, Eastman, Dillon and Co., Inc. He was also a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Economic Affairs and a White House staff member. He has served in numerous government advisory roles and currently heads the Wyeth Endowment for American Art. In 1976, Mr. West received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Civilian Service. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree at Temple University. West was nominated to the Institute of Peace's Board by President George W. Bush in November 2003, confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 2004 and sworn in on January 29, 2004.

Otero is President and CEO of ACCION International. Prior to assuming leadership in January 2000, she served in several capacities within the organization, including as executive vice president and director of microlending in Honduras. Previously, she worked at the Inter-American Foundation and at the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA). A leading expert on microcredit, she serves as chair of the MicroFinance Network, and as co-chair of the Microenterprise Coalition. Otero has also served in an advisory capacity to the World Bank's Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP) and as chair of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation. She chaired the board of Bread for the World from 1992-1997 and currently sits on the board of the Calvert Foundation. She has authored numerous monographs and articles on women in enterprise, training and microenterprise development and is currently an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS). A native of La Paz, Bolivia, Otero obtained graduate degrees from the University of Maryland and SAIS. She was nominated to the Board of the Institute of Peace by President Clinton in October 2000, confirmed by the Senate on December 15, and sworn in on February 5, 2001.

The Institute, a non-profit federal organization, is governed by a bipartisan Board of Directors nominated by the White House and confirmed by the Senate. The board is comprised of twelve members from outside federal service and four ex-officio members: the Secretaries of State and Defense, the President of the National Defense University, and the President of the Institute (nonvoting). It actively oversees Institute activities, sets long-term goals and priorities, and monitors the Institute’s financial, administrative, and personnel policies.

For more information about the Institute or to reach Mr. West or Ms. Otero, please contact Kay King, Director of Congressional and Public Affairs, at (202) 429-3824 or kking@usip.org.