FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (August 19, 2014) – Sister Cities International welcomed Bill Boerum of Sonoma, CA as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Eight members were also elected to the 24-member Board of Directors following a membership-wide election to replace retiring members. The new appointments were made during Sister Cities International’s Annual Business Meeting that occurred during its 58th Annual Conference in San Jose, CA, July 31-August 2, 2014.

Incoming Chair Bill Boerum has previously served as Vice Chair and Treasurer. Assuming the Chairmanship, Mr. Boerum said, “It’s a privilege to assume the position of Chairman of the Board of an organization with a rich heritage of effective citizen diplomacy tracing back 58 years to our founding by President Eisenhower. Our mission of promoting peace one community at a time takes on special urgency in today’s troubled world. By connecting globally our partnerships have and can thrive locally.” Tim Quigley of San Jose, CA was elected as Vice Chair, Norris Hermsmeyer of Boulder, CO as Treasurer, and Carol Robertson Lopez as Secretary.

The newly elected Board of Directors members are Gary Barnabo of Washington, DC; Clare Petrich of Tacoma, WA; and Marie Erlande Steril of North Miami, FL. Ajaipal (AJ) Chahal of Santa Clara, CA was elected as the Youth Representative to the Board of Directors. Leroy Allala of Chicago, IL; Tim Quigley of San Jose, CA; Holly Lazzerini of Belvidere, IL; and Carolina Rendeiro of Coral Gables, FL were re-elected to the Board of Directors. Deborah Fajer-Smith was also appointed to a one-year term by Chair Bill Boerum to fill a vacant position.

Dr. Carolyn Bishop of Atlanta, GA along with Dr. Joshua Walker of Alexandria, VA and Bob Greninger of Prescott, AZ were elected to the Executive Committee, where they will join the Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Sister Cities International congratulates the new appointees and looks forward to their leadership and vision in taking the organization to new heights.

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About Sister Cities International

Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for over 500 individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States with relationships in 2,000 communities in 140 countries. This sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers who work tirelessly to promote peace and understanding through programs and projects focusing on arts and culture, youth and education, economic and sustainable development, and humanitarian assistance.

Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCitieslnt; Website: www.sistercities.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Megha Swamy
[email protected]
202-347-8637

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