WAC Announces New Executive Director

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2008

 

WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

 

The World Affairs Council of Maine has appointed John G. LaBrie as its new executive director. LaBrie, a Maine native, joins the Council’s staff as its first full-time executive director in more than twenty years. This year also marks the World Affair Council of Maine’s 30th Anniversary. Over the past three decades, the Council has grown and expanded its mission to promote statewide education and understanding of international affairs through diverse programming, including international speakers and popular events like Academic WorldQuest.

 

LaBrie was chosen after an extensive six month search. His most recent professional appointment was as Dean of Continuing Studies for Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia—western Canada’s largest university-based continuing education program. His higher educational career also includes posts at Brown University and the University of Southern Maine. LaBrie’s professional background includes the development of an international programming office at the University of Southern Maine, opening new international summer study opportunities at Brown University, and the oversight and management of programs in international development, English as a second language program, an international interpreters program and non-credit programs in a variety of European and Asian languages. LaBrie holds a baccalaureate degree from the University of Maine at Fort Kent in French and Bi-cultural studies, a Masters degree in Administration from St. Michael’s College in Vermont and a doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. 

According to Deb Barouch, the Council’s president, the search for an executive director is the culmination of a strategic planning process that started almost five years ago. Other developments that have come out of the planning process are new and varied program listings and the establishment of numerous partnerships with other state organizations. Tim Seavey, board member and chair of the executive director search committee, said the completion of the search for an executive director is the realization of a great deal of planning and work by board members.

LaBrie has relocated to Cumberland, Maine, where he lives with his partner and five children. 

For more information: Please contact the Council’s Office at 207-780-4552 or e-mail executivedirector@wacmaine.org