Comments for USAID ALUMNI ASSOCIATION http://www.usaidalumni.org Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:26:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Adel Gohar by Stephen H. Grant http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/adel-gohar/#comment-31 Stephen H. Grant Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:26:58 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=52#comment-31 I worked closely with Adel from 1983 to 1987 in the Education Office, USAID/Cairo. He was one of the brightest people I met. I went to his home and met his family. He helped me a lot learning Arabic. He taught at Zagazig University part-time. Always available for any sort of discussion or problem, he clearly had a deep respect for his fellow man and commitment to the development to his country. I am glad that through his many years at USAID and his experience in higher education that so many people were exposed to his kind heart and intellectual genius. I worked closely with Adel from 1983 to 1987 in the Education Office, USAID/Cairo. He was one of the brightest people I met. I went to his home and met his family. He helped me a lot learning Arabic. He taught at Zagazig University part-time. Always available for any sort of discussion or problem, he clearly had a deep respect for his fellow man and commitment to the development to his country. I am glad that through his many years at USAID and his experience in higher education that so many people were exposed to his kind heart and intellectual genius.

]]> Comment on Aaron Benjamin by David Olinger http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/aaron-benjamin/#comment-30 David Olinger Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:48:04 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=46#comment-30 Aaron was both a mentor and a role model. My first professional job was as his successor at a large architectural firm. We worked together in New York City and he introduced me to USAID. He had an excellent mind, a deep commitment to the cause of development and a strong desire to improve the plight of the poor, both at home and abroad. My sympathies go out to July, Cyndi and Bobby. Aaron will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. Aaron was both a mentor and a role model. My first professional job was as his successor at a large architectural firm. We worked together in New York City and he introduced me to USAID. He had an excellent mind, a deep commitment to the cause of development and a strong desire to improve the plight of the poor, both at home and abroad. My sympathies go out to July, Cyndi and Bobby. Aaron will be missed by everyone whose life he touched.

]]> Comment on Aaron Benjamin by Peter Kimm http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/aaron-benjamin/#comment-29 Peter Kimm Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:24:17 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=46#comment-29 It was my honor and privilege to have Aaron as a colleague during his 22 years with USAID. He was a fine human being who made a real contribution to improving the life of lower income families in the developing countries in which he worked. I remember, in particular a visit I made to Bolivia while Aaron was the housing advisor there. It just happened that this was a weekend in which a coup attempt took place and we traveled through near empty streets of LA Paz for our meeting with the government and then spent the rest of the weekend at the Benjamin's home. The coup was headed off and things returned to normal the next week. It was my honor and privilege to have Aaron as a colleague during his 22 years with USAID. He was a fine human being who made a real contribution to improving the life of lower income families in the developing countries in which he worked. I remember, in particular a visit I made to Bolivia while Aaron was the housing advisor there. It just happened that this was a weekend in which a coup attempt took place and we traveled through near empty streets of LA Paz for our meeting with the government and then spent the rest of the weekend at the Benjamin’s home. The coup was headed off and things returned to normal the next week.

]]> Comment on Dr. Joseph P. Carney by Robert Navin http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/dr-joseph-p-carney-may-30-2010/#comment-28 Robert Navin Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:15:45 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=43#comment-28 From 1997-9, I was Board Chairman of the International School of Dakar, and Joe Carney supervised the operations of overseas schools from Washington. While I never met Joe, I developed the deepest personal respect for both his knowledge of how schools should be run, but also his willingness to make decisions that were difficult but important. We the Board had to decide not to renew the contract of the Principal. Joe supported our decision-making process, and helped find another Principal who was a better fit for ISD. My deepest condolences to the Carney family. From 1997-9, I was Board Chairman of the International School of Dakar, and Joe Carney supervised the operations of overseas schools from Washington. While I never met Joe, I developed the deepest personal respect for both his knowledge of how schools should be run, but also his willingness to make decisions that were difficult but important. We the Board had to decide not to renew the contract of the Principal. Joe supported our decision-making process, and helped find another Principal who was a better fit for ISD.

My deepest condolences to the Carney family.

]]> Comment on Dr. Joseph P. Carney by Kenneth Farr http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/dr-joseph-p-carney-may-30-2010/#comment-27 Kenneth Farr Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:44:05 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=43#comment-27 One of the great misfortunes of an otherwise wonderful experience of international work and living, is the too often occurrence of momentous events in the lives of family and friends living in the US. Joe Carney's passing and memorial service unfortunately fell into this category for me, retired in Ecuador. Joe and I and our familes became close friends as well as neighbors colleagues during several years working together in Jakarta. A "peach of a guy" is one short way to sum up my remembrance of Joe and if you are somehow reading this or my thoughts Joe, know that you were a genuinely valued friend, and contributed so much to so many during your career with the USG. And if your family, Suga, Mark and Hanna are reading this note, my best to you; you were fortunate to have been a big part of his life. Ken Farr, Quito One of the great misfortunes of an otherwise wonderful experience of international work and living, is the too often occurrence of momentous events in the lives of family and friends living in the US. Joe Carney’s passing and memorial service unfortunately fell into this category for me, retired in Ecuador.

Joe and I and our familes became close friends as well as neighbors colleagues during several years working together in Jakarta. A “peach of a guy” is one short way to sum up my remembrance of Joe and if you are somehow reading this or my thoughts Joe, know that you were a genuinely valued friend, and contributed so much to so many during your career with the USG. And if your family, Suga, Mark and Hanna are reading this note, my best to you; you were fortunate to have been a big part of his life.
Ken Farr, Quito

]]> Comment on John Coury by Nancy Hardy http://www.usaidalumni.org/2010/john-coury/#comment-26 Nancy Hardy Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:39:58 +0000 http://usaidalumni.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-26 Jessica: I met John when we served togther in Jamaica in the 1980s. He was a dear colleague and friend, with a big smile for everyone. I'll never forget him laughing and joking with market women, so absolutely in tune with their patois and spirit in driving a bargain. His love for his son and pride in Victor's accomplishments were enormous and lovely to see. I admired John's professionalism and commitment, when he spoke of his work in Colombia the last time I saw him in Washington. You could hear the enthusiasm and warmth in his voice. John is missed by all. Your hope that he is with Victor, eating lobster and smiling down at us is lovely and spot on. John Coury was a good man. With condolences to you and your family, Nancy Jessica:

I met John when we served togther in Jamaica in the 1980s. He was a dear colleague and friend, with a big smile for everyone. I’ll never forget him laughing and joking with market women, so absolutely in tune with their patois and spirit in driving a bargain. His love for his son and pride in Victor’s accomplishments were enormous and lovely to see. I admired John’s professionalism and commitment, when he spoke of his work in Colombia the last time I saw him in Washington. You could hear the enthusiasm and warmth in his voice. John is missed by all. Your hope that he is with Victor, eating lobster and smiling down at us is lovely and spot on. John Coury was a good man.

With condolences to you and your family,
Nancy

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