wfn.org | American Red Cross veteran chosen to head Presbyterian Disaster Service

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

>  This story and photo available online:
> www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2008/08914

> American Red Cross veteran chosen to head PDA

Randy Ackley headed up ARC?s Indian Ocean tsunami response
in 2004

> by Jerry L. Van Marter
> Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE ¯ James (Randy) Ackley, whose 14 years with the
American Red Cross (ARC) included heading up that agency?s
response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, has been named
coordinator for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
[www.pcusa.org/pda] (PDA) of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). He begins his new work here Dec. 15.

In a Dec. 10 press release announcing the appointment, PDA
said Ackley ?brings a wealth of experience in both national
and international disaster response and preparedness work
with the ARC. His background includes the design and
management of many different elements in the ministry of
disaster assistance including disaster preparedness,
disaster management, psychosocial support, water and
sanitation, community development and public health.?

Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace and Justice
(CPJ) for the PC(USA)?s General Assembly Council, said,
?PDA is an essential ministry of the church and I believe
that Randy has the experience, energy and vision that is
needed to equip PDA for the future. His presence will be a
blessing to PDA and to the larger church.?

Ackley began his relationship with the ARC as a volunteer
in 1988. A former litigation attorney, he has served on the
organization?s staff since 1994, most recently as head of
regional delegation and senior field representative in
South Asia, a position he has held since 2003.

From 1996 through 2002, Ackley juggled numerous
responsibilities including media relations associate,
public affairs officer and management of the ARC?s
partnership with the Weather Channel, which developed
?Project Safeside,? a nationwide, award winning,
multi-media disaster preparedness project.

In addition to his international experience in South Asia,
Ackley also served the ARC as its head of delegation in
Bulgaria. While there, he designed and implemented an
innovative disaster relief partnership with the Bulgarian
Red Cross (BRC) and assisted in the development of the
BRC?s Financial Development Department. As a result he was
awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in 2001 by the BRC.

?I?m really excited to be joining the PDA team, which is a
very dedicated group of people,? Ackley said upon his
appointment. ?This ministry has a solid foundation of being
responsive, effective and caring, and I?m pleased to be
part of it.?

He will be moving to Louisville from the Chicago area with
his wife and three young children.

Information for this story furnished by Mindy Marchal,
CPJ?s communications associate with Communications and
Funds Development.