FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 24, 2004
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FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMES GARNIK NANAGOULIAN
AS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
After an extensive international search, the Fund for Armenian Relief
(FAR) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of
Garnik Nanagoulian as the new Executive Director.
Mr. Nanagoulian’s background and experience are the perfect fit for FAR.
He is a former Minister of Industry and Trade and senior diplomat who
served as Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada as well as Deputy Chief of
Mission in the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C. As an active member
of the government of Armenia, Mr. Nanagoulian helped design and
implement structural reforms during Armenia’s transition from a
totalitarian regime to a democracy. He played an essential role in
shaping the government’s policy to create a favorable environment for
the development of a free market economy.
Following his tenure in public service, Mr. Nanagoulian was a Fellow and
an Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at
Harvard University. He lectured and participated in workshops in the
Harvard and Boston-area university communities as well as conducted
research on various Transcaucasusian issues.
Throughout his career, Mr. Nanagoulian developed a keen know-how of
nonprofit organizations. In the diplomatic service and as a member of
government, he coordinated a number of humanitarian and technical
assistance projects provided by foreign governments and internationals
NGOs. Since moving to the U.S., he has been a consultant to
multinational companies and nonprofit organizations seeking to trade
with and assist the countries of the former Soviet Union.
“The opportunity to be a part of a noble mission to help children,
orphans, and elderly – the vulnerable populations among the thousands of
Armenians who are struggling to adjust to the harsh realities of the
transition – was one I couldn’t pass up,” Mr. Nanagoulian said when
accepting the position. “I am especially excited to join the Fund for
Armenian Relief, which is the preeminent Diasporan relief organization
in Armenia.”
When discussing his vision for the nonprofit’s future, he said, “I look
forward to continuing FAR’s tradition of service and excellence and
helping the organization reach new heights in its mission. I plan to
expand the scope of FAR’s operations and spread awareness about the
organization within the Diaspora. The Diaspora needs to understand that
FAR has the capacity and the commitment to realize the objectives of
those who wish to make a critical difference in our Homeland.”
The Board’s Search Committee worked with Randolph S. Gulian, President
of the executive search firm InSearch Worldwide Corporation, to identify
the most qualified candidate that best matched the organization and its
mission. On behalf of all the Board members, FAR Board President Abp.
Khajag Barsamian expressed “thanks to the Search Committee for its
efforts to nominate the applicant with superb qualifications. This is a
sign of the Board’s commitment to the continued growth of the
organization.”
The Board of Directors is delighted with the perfect match. Iterating
the Board’s sentiment, Chairman Kevork Hovnanian said, “Garnik brings
tremendous experience and many valuable skills to the job. His
leadership and involvement in our communities make him the ideal person
for the position. He has the dedication to the mission of FAR and the
enthusiasm for the job.”
Board member Carl Bazarian agreed, “I have known Garnik Nanagoulian
since the fall of the Soviet Union and I found him to be dedicated to
his Homeland, Armenia. He is a man with extreme integrity and a drive
to improve the standard of living of his fellow Armenians. He is very
well respected in Washington, D.C. government circles and throughout the
world based on his service to Armenia as a Minister and in his capacity
as a premier international diplomat.”
FAR will undoubtedly benefit greatly from Mr. Nanagoulian’s extensive
experiences, but more importantly, from his honorable commitment to
empower the people of Armenia and strengthen ties with the Diaspora.
The FAR Board looks forward to working with Mr. Nanagoulian in his new
capacity as the Executive Director.
FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,
with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 15 years, FAR has
implemented various relief, development, social, educational, and
cultural projects valued at more than $250 million. It remains the
preeminent Diasporan organization operating in Armenia.
For more information or to send donations, contact the Fund for Armenian
Relief at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212)
889-5150, fax (212) 889-4849; , [email protected].
— 9/24/04
E-mail photo available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION: Garnik Nanagoulian is appointed Executive Director of the
Fund for Armenian Relief.
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