WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan has appointed Gloria Johnson to be the agency\'s Director of Congressional Relations.
In her new position, Johnson will manage relations with all members of Congress and negotiate Capitol Hill support for Peace Corps\' annual budget. She replaces Joan Timoney, who has been appointed by Director Gearan to head up the Peace Corps\' new initiative, the Crisis Corps.
"Gloria\'s professional accomplishments exemplify the finest traditions of talented Americans drawn to public service," Gearan said. "She brings a wealth of experience to this challenging job and will provide excellent representation for Peace Corps on Capitol Hill."
Johnson most recently worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development organizing the White House Community Empowerment Zone Conference, convened by Vice President Gore. She also served as National Director of the Office of Surrogate Speakers at the Clinton/Gore National Re-election Campaign Headquarters.
From 1993-96, Johnson was director of constituent relations and White House Liaison for the Corporation for National Service, which administers President Clinton\'s AmeriCorps program. She helped build support for the AmeriCorps legislation during the drafting process as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Public Liaison at the White House Office of National Service.
During the 1992 Presidential campaign, Johnson served on the domestic policy team in Little Rock, Arkansas, managed the Congressional Black Caucus Southern Bus Tour, and briefed cabinet nominees in preparation for their Senate confirmation hearings. She also worked for several years as legislative aid to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Al Gore.
Johnson is a native Washingtonian, the product of D.C. public schools, and alumna of Sidwell Friends, Columbia University and the University of London\'s School of Oriental and African Studies, where she studied the economics of development with a special focus on Africa.