May 24, 2010, Washington
DC: American Near East Refugee Aid
(ANERA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kenneth Lizzio has joined the
organization as ANERA's Country Director, based in Jerusalem. Lizzio is a veteran development professional who
has more than 25 years experience in project management and research in the
Middle East, Africa and other region.
Lizzio will supervise 60 staff and volunteers and provide
overall leadership in ANERA's activities throughout the West Bank and Gaza, including health and education services,
sustainable community development, water rehabilitation and agriculture,
microfinance as well as emergency relief and medical aid. He replaces Robert Crothers who has returned
to Britain
for medical treatment.
Prior to joining ANERA, Lizzio
was Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance for USAID in Macedonia where
he managed a $7 million program.
Experienced in program and project management, he has also worked in the
West Bank, as well as several African and
Asian countries. Lizzio is accomplished
in grant administration, having managed several large grants with dozens of
staff reporting to him.
"Ken's wealth of
knowledge and experience in the design and management of development projects, combined
with his deep understanding of Palestinian and Middle Eastern cultures will make
him a thoughtful leader for assisting Palestinians to improve their lives,"
said ANERA President Bill Corcoran.
A specialist in Near East
Studies and Islamic religious issues, Lizzio has also taught anthropology at James Madison
University, Virginia
and Winthrop University, North Carolina. He also served as a research analyst for the
US State Department. The Pennsylvania native is a graduate of Rider
University, New Jersey, with a MA and PhD in Near Eastern Studies from
University of Arizona. He is fluent in French and Arabic.
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