Washington, DC — Africare, a leading international development organization specializing in development assistance to Africa, has chosen Darius Mans, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), as its new President. Mr. Mans will officially start on January 4, 2010, when current president, Julius E. Coles leaves after more than seven years of service. Mans will be the fourth president in Africare's 39-year history.
"I am honored to follow in Julius Coles' footsteps and assume the position of President of Africare." said Darius Mans. "I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to work with one of the finest development organizations working on the continent of Africa." Mans added, "It is also quite a personal honor for me to serve in this very important position and I hope to continue the organization's great tradition of promoting growth on the African continent and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa."
Prior to being tapped as Acting Chief Executive Officer for MCC, Mans also served as Vice President of Implementation managing a $6.3 billion portfolio in 18 countries; and as Managing Director for Africa, where he drove an increase in commitments to Africa by $1.6 billion.
Board Chairman, W. Frank Fountain stated, "Darius Mans is one of the country's outstanding development leaders, and Africare is proud to have him as its next president. It is the Board's belief that by this appointment, we are positioning Africare to remain the premiere NGO that provides development assistance to the continent of Africa. He will bring to this assignment a keen intelligence, energy and commitment, as well as a resource development acumen that will be critical to moving Africare forward as one of America's leading NGOs. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we welcome Darius to the Africare family." The Africare Board of Directors retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading international search firm, to assist in the process.
Darius Mans has over 30 years of development experience with a major focus on African countries. He has held various positions at the World Bank including serving as a Director of the World Bank Institute; and as Country Director in Mozambique, where he designed and implemented a five-year program focused on infrastructure and private sector development. Mans also led the re-engagement of the World Bank to Angola, providing analytical and advisory services and $125 million in lending to Angola following the end of the country's 27-year civil war. Mans earned a PhD. in Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University.
"I am very pleased that the Africare Board of Directors has selected such a qualified and experienced development specialist to succeed me as the President of Africare," said Mr. Coles. "Mr. Mans will provide the leadership that will be necessary to carry Africare to new levels of achievement over the coming years."
Africare is a leading non-profit organization specializing in African aid. It is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in that field. Since its founding in 1970, Africare has delivered well over $800 million in assistance and support — over 2,500 projects and millions of beneficiaries — to 36 countries Africa-wide. Africare has its international headquarters in Washington, DC, with field offices currently in 23 African countries.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tina Musoke, Media Relations
Office: (202) 328-5379
Email: tmusoke@africare.org
