Dr. Robert William Davis
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Akron, Pa., announced that Dr. Robert William Davis has been appointed the next executive director of the 85-year-old relief, development and peace agency.
Dr. Davis, who is currently senior vice-president of program services for Freedom from Hunger in Davis, Calif., will begin his assignment on June 1, 2005. During the month of June he will work closely with the outgoing executive director, Ronald J.R. Mathies, and will assume full responsibilities at the end of the month. Mathies, who announced his retirement in September 2003, has served as executive director for nine years.
Davis said he is motivated by a strong vision for Christian ministry and a desire “to serve and seek to be an agent of reconciliation, a faithful servant and a community builder.” He has taught in the Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) at Eastern Mennonite University. In May 2005, he will be teaching the course, “Designing learner-centered training for conflict transformation.”
“For two years, Robb Davis has taught the course, ‘Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach: Popular Education for Peace’ in EMU’s Summer Peacebuilding Institute and is scheduled to teach again this summer,” said Pat Hostetter Martin, SPI director. “He is a dynamic instructor. SPI has been blessed to have his expertise in the design of training as well as his positive spirit in the educational process.”
A native of Lancaster County, Pa., Davis brings extensive international development, poverty alleviation and public health experience to the job. He holds a master’s degree in public health and a Ph.D. in population dynamics, both from John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Md. He also holds a bachelor of science in theology from Lancaster (PA) Bible College.
Early in his career Davis served as a health technical advisor and administrator for World Vision in the west African country of Mauritania. He has served as an independent consultant to various development agencies such as the International Assistance Mission, Catholic Relief Services, the World Bank, Peace Corps and the International Catholic Migration Committee.
Davis is also the chair of the Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group (CORE), a 38-member professional consortium of U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGO) engaged in maternal and child health work around the world.
Davis and his wife, Nancy, are parents of two children. Their eldest child is a student at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., and their youngest remains at home. The couple is founding members of a Mennonite house fellowship in Davis, Calif. While living in Lancaster they attended East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church.