Ambassador W. Robert Pearson Named New President of IREX

October 31, 2008--IREX is pleased to announce that former Ambassador W. Robert Pearson, international affairs expert, business consultant, and career diplomat, has been chosen as president of IREX. He will assume his new post in November 2008, replacing Dr. Mark Pomar and becoming the fourth IREX president in its 40 year history.

Ambassador Pearson brings to IREX strong leadership and management skills as well as impressive strategic vision. During his distinguished career he served in a variety of European and Asian posts.  As Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006, he introduced critical changes in America’s diplomacy, earning awards for innovation and management improvement and preparing the United States for the challenges of the 21st Century. He served as Ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 during a critical period and was previously posted in Paris, Brussels, Beijing, Taipei and Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to other senior positions at the Department of State. He speaks French, Turkish and Chinese and brings a wide and deep understanding of the domestic and international foreign affairs scene. Since his retirement in 2006, he has headed the international business division of The Spectrum Group in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Chair of the IREX Board of Directors, Ambassador Avis T. Bohlen, stated that “Bob Pearson is an ideal leader for IREX during these challenging times.  I am confident he will maintain IREX’s traditions of excellence while also forging new paths in international development. We feel very fortunate that Bob has agreed to become the next president of IREX.”

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual budget of over $50 million and a staff of more than 500 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 100 countries.