Silver Spring, Maryland—The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International welcomes Gideon M. Mutero, as the new vice president for finance, to its headquarters in Maryland. His appointment became official in January of 2007.

In February, Mutero, along with other ADRA International administrators and leaders from 33 network offices, attended the inaugural session of ADRA's Leadership Council (ALC) held in Kigali, Rwanda. The ALC strives to create more effective development and emergency response interventions, and to ensure sound business management practices throughout the network.

"The ALC was exciting," enthused Mutero. "It was the first time that such a group came together, with so many country directors, and the enthusiastic, open interaction between ADRA International and the field-based staff was quite enriching," he continued. "The ALC strengthened ADRA in terms of professional relationships within the network, and also increased the level of feedback between the network offices."

Before accepting his new position as vice president for finance at ADRA International, Mutero served as the chair of the board for the ADRA Burundi office, as well as associate treasurer for the East-Central Africa divisional office for the Seventh-day Adventist Church based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mutero received a bachelor's degree in accounting and management from Daystar University in Kenya in 1993, and a Master's in Business Administration from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational development and transformation from the Cebu Doctors University in the Philippines.

"I see myself as joining a team, and playing a part in strengthening that team," Mutero commented. "Some of the primary goals I have for ADRA are to continue to build capacity, improve our positioning within the industry, as well as seeking out new sources of funding, and continue improving financial management throughout the organization."

"The ADRA team has been very helpful to me during the orientation process," added Mutero. "I am adapting well to my new role within the agency, and am prepared to face the challenges ahead."

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Media Contact: Nadia McGill ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org