NEWS

Interim President and previous Board Chair
Vernon Laverty selected as President of IDEAS

The IDEAS Board of Directors announces that Vernon Laverty has been appointed as the next president of IDEAS. Recently retired from Agilent Technologies, Vernon has served as IDEAS Interim President since December 2007. The Board is extremely pleased to present Vernon as President, believing that with over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and global services and with his many years of dedicated service as a Board member; Vernon is well prepared to assume leadership of IDEAS. He brings wide-ranging executive skills, an expertise in strategic planning, and the personal character and integrity necessary to lead the organization.

"I am honored to be chosen to serve as President of IDEAS," Vernon said. "My time as an IDEAS board member since 1999 and as Interim President in the last 8 months has given me an understanding and appreciation of the breadth and depth of the organization. The visits to people and projects in India and China earlier this year provided great insights into the impact that we are having and the potential we have. I look forward to traveling to North Africa and Central Asia in the future."

"We have many challenges ahead of us. Our work occurs in some pretty harsh conditions and resistant areas. However, challenges bring tremendous opportunities as well. I look forward to working with our dedicated headquarters staff, regional directors and associates, partners and donors to meet those challenges head-on and to strengthen the viability and impact of IDEAS. I have great anticipation and enthusiasm for what lies ahead."