Jo Ann Emerson joins World Food Program USA Board of Directors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – World Food Program USA announced today that former Congresswoman and CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Jo Ann Emerson has joined the Washington-DC based non-profit’s board of directors, building on her long-standing commitment to solving global hunger.
Emerson joins board members former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, former Senator Bob Dole and board chairman Hunter Biden. George McGovern served on the board until he passed away in October 2012.
“The World Food Programme is the most influential international program fighting hunger today. Through my service in Congress, I learned how arduous this battle is and how important it is to win,” said Emerson. “I’m very proud and honored to continue to contribute to the global effort to alleviate hunger and its many symptoms through the promotion of policies and good works at WFP USA.”
From 1996 to 2013, Emerson served as the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 8th Congressional district. During her tenure in the House, Emerson worked to ensure that global hunger programs were adequately funded. During part of her service, Emerson was the co-chair of the Congressional Hunger Center and the House of Representatives’ Hunger Caucus, an original co-sponsor of the legislation that established the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education Program, as well as a co-sponsor of the Roadmap to End Global Hunger legislation.
“Jo Ann has always been a strong advocate for those suffering from hunger around the world. Throughout her career in public service, she has been a voice for the voiceless,” said WFP USA President and CEO Richard Leach. “We are very fortunate to have someone with her breadth of experience, stature and deep commitment to help us achieve our goals.”
Emerson is currently the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative and an Honorary Trustee of Westminster College in Fulton, MO.
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