Gaddi Vasquez

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Image:Vasquez pic.jpg Gaddi H. Vasquez is the Director of the United States Peace Corps. A native of Carrizo Springs, Texas, he is a Mexican American and the son of migrant workers. He is the first person of Hispanic ancestry to head the organization.

Vasquez worked in the public sector for 22 years before his nomination, starting as a police officer for the city of Orange, California. He later worked as deputy appointments secretary for George Deukmejian, followed by service as Chairman of the county Board of Supervisors for Orange County, California. Vasquez resigned this position in 1994.

Appointed as Director of Peace Corps under George W. Bush, February 15, 2002: had donated $100,000 to Bush's campaign; was criticized by former volunteers for lacking experience with, or previous membership in, Peace Corps; cleared Senate committee vote 14-4, and was accepted in the full Senate on a voice vote.

Vasquez's major initiatives and accomplishments since becoming Peace Corps Director include: an agreement with Mexico in 2003 to host volunteers, sending Crisis Corps members (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) to work domestically in Hurricane relief after Katrina, emphasis on recruitment of minorities and of community college graduates, upgrading Peace Corps' infrastructure especially IT upgrades in the online application tracking process and the Volunteer Delivery System, an emphasis on safety and security of volunteers including the creation of a Situation Room at Peace Corps Headquarters, modifying Peace Corps' "Five Year Rule" for employment, and the expansion of the Peace Corps to its highest level in 30 years.

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