About ~ Current Officers 2008

President ~ David

David served as an environmental volunteer with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Azraq, Jordan from 1998-200 (J-2). His work on water and wetlands conservation sparked his interest in water management, and since returning to the States he has worked as a hydraulic engineer, consultant and finished a PhD degree in water resources management. He currently works as an assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering at Utah State University. David came to Friends of Jordan with a keen interest to continue volunteer service related to Jordan, served as program coordinator for several years and is excited, as vice president, to help expand the web of members, better involve members in FOJ activities and support the other officers in their efforts. 

Vice President ~ Bill

(More info on Bill coming soon!)

Treasurer ~ Camellia   

Membership Coordinator ~ Sarah

Sarah served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jordan from 2000 to 2002 (J-4).  She taught English at the girl's school in Dimnah, a village near Karak.  She enthusiastically studied Arabic while in Jordan and continues to seek ways to retain it.  When she returned from Jordan in 2002, she realized how important it is to raise awareness in the United States about Muslim and Arab cultures. She takes any opportunity to share tales of her positive experience in Jordan with anyone who will listen. Sarah stays in touch with her closest friends in Dimnah and was very happy to be able to visit them in 2007.  Sarah currently works with a small nonprofit agency in Providence, Rhode Island, coordinating a mentoring program for children who have a parent in prison.  As Membership Coordinator, she is excited to encourage others to become members of Friends of Jordan.

 

Program Coordinator ~ Josh

Josh served as a PCV Jordan in 2004 with the J7 group. He was a TEFL volunteer in the southern village of Al-Rajif, which served as an ideal launching pad for his 25 visits to Petra with friends and volunteers. Josh returned to Missouri after wrapping up his service and worked with the City of Independence Health Department as a Pandemic Flu Planner for a year and half, until he recently moved to DC. He is currently the communications director with Washington Report on Middle East Affairsand is taking Arabic lessons so someday he can actually read an Arabic newspaper. Josh loved his time in Jordan and is counting the days until he can return to visit family and friends. In the meantime, he is excited to be working with Friends of Jordan and keeping his connection strong.  

Newsletter Editor ~ Jennifer

While researching her options of becoming a Peace Corps volunteer, Jennifer came across an opportunity to work for PC in Jordan as a language and cultural facilitator. She ended up working with Peace Corps Jordan for two training sessions in 2004, with the first PCVs to re-enter the country. In 2006, Jennifer moved to the states and worked for a domestic violence shelter, and then moved to DC to work on a Hurricane Katrina project. Being Jordanian-American and having worked with PC, Jennifer found that getting involved with Friends of Jordan is a great opportunity to serve both worlds.

Fundraising Coordinator ~ Jaxon

(More info on Jaxon coming soon!)

Secretary ~ Jackie