Washington, D.C., August 7, 2002-Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced recently the appointment of Stephen E. Murphy as the agency\'s regional director for the Inter-America and Pacific region. He joined the staff on July 1, 2002, as a member of the senior management team.

Director Vasquez stated that "Stephen brings to the Peace Corps his extensive experience and friendships in Latin America, where he lived and worked many years. We are happy to have him as part of our team and hope to expand our programs among the citizens of the Americas and Pacific Islands."

The regional director for the Inter-America and Pacific region is responsible for directing grass roots programs in 27 countries in the Western Hemisphere and Pacific Islands. Chief programs include youth training, environmental and HIV/AIDS education and small business development.

"I am honored to serve the Peace Corps in an area of the world which has long been my passion. I hope, too, to tap into the great spirit of volunteerism in the Pacific Northwest and encourage others with management experience to consider \'the toughest job they\'ll ever love.\'"

Mr. Murphy lived and worked many years in Brazil for the Bank of Boston and Paramount Pictures and more recently taught international management courses at Seattle University\'s Albers School of Business and Economics. An active Rotarian in Seattle\'s University Sunrise club and member of St. Bridget\'s Catholic Church, he has led missions to El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, and Malawi.

Three Pacific Northwest universities have been in the top 10 providers of Peace Corps volunteers this past decade: University of Washington, Seattle University and the University of Oregon. Presently, the Peace Corps has 7,000 volunteers located in 70 countries worldwide with plans to double the number of volunteers over the next five years.

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