FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, May 19, 2004

New IAP Regional Director Appointed at Peace Corps

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 19, 2004 – Director Gaddi H. Vasquez recently announced the appointment of Allene Zanger as the new Regional Director for the Inter-American and Pacific Region (IAP).

“Allene’s dedication to the Peace Corps began years ago as a volunteer in Panama,” Director Vasquez said. “Her experiences as a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Inter-America and the Pacific region, combined with her experience as the Director of Domestic Programs at the Peace Corps, make her an ideal director for the IAP region.”

The Regional Director of the IAP region is responsible for directing grass roots programs in 25 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America and the Pacific Islands. More than 2,600 volunteers are working in the IAP region in all six of the agency’s project sectors. Within those areas, they focus on youth development, information technology training, income generation, and HIV/AIDS education and prevention.

Prior to her latest appointment and beginning in August 2002, Zanger directed the Office of Domestic Programs. From 1993 to 1995, Zanger served as an environmental Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. After her service as a volunteer, she became the director of School-Community Partnerships in the office of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools in Bakersfield, Calif. In addition, Zanger founded and was the program director for the Central Valley Communities for Children AmeriCorps program.

Before working at the Peace Corps, Zanger served as General Counsel, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Corporate Secretary for Tejon Ranch Company in Lebec, Calif. She also served as Deputy Attorney General in the California Attorney General’s Office. Zanger earned a B.A. in political science from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. She also has a J.D. from Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

Since 1961, more than 171,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.

# # #

---