FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2011
Dear Colleagues,
 
We are very pleased to announce that President Obama has designated Robert Velasco, II, as Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Robert will serve in this position as the President works to identify a permanent CEO to be nominated and confirmed by the Senate.
 
Robert has done an outstanding job serving as our Chief Operating Officer, where he has managed agency operations, implemented changes to increase efficiency and accountability, and developed the infrastructure to carry out the Serve America Act and fulfill the President’s vision for national service. Since February, Robert has also served as Chief of Program Operations, where he has provided strong leadership to support our thousands of grantees in the field who are delivering high-quality programming to meet local needs.
 
 
Robert is a seasoned manager with the necessary experience, judgment, and leadership ability to ensure that we continue to bring national service to higher levels of impact, innovation, and effectiveness. Robert came to CNCS with more than 15 years of executive branch experience managing large complex programs and organizations, including multiple positions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has led management reform efforts, and he has experience in implementing national policy frameworks and working with regional offices and state and local governments to implement programs.
 
On a personal level, Robert has experienced first-hand the impact of service and its ability to change lives, including his own. His volunteer experiences catalyzed his own pursuit of a career in public service, and he strongly believes in the power of service to transform lives and communities.
 
 
With his extensive experience, knowledge of CNCS, and management ability, Robert will be a strong leader during the transition, effectively managing CNCS, maintaining the President’s priorities and continuing to ensure that service plays an important role in addressing some of our nation’s toughest challenges.
 
 
Robert is taking the helm as CNCS is poised for greater impact and success, with well-run programs, an impact-focused Strategic Plan, a strong network of state service commissions, thousands of results-driven grantees that include some of America’s most entrepreneurial organizations, key partnerships in the nonprofit and corporate sector, a high-performing workforce, and a widespread culture of impact and accountability.
 
On a final note, I want to thank all of you for your commitment to service and for the privilege of working with you for the past 15 months. I have never met such a dedicated and mission-driven group of people. The national service field is having a positive and lasting impact on millions of people’s lives, and that impact will only grow in the future. It has been a great honor to work with all of you to advance the cause of national service, and I look forward to continuing that work.
 
Thank you, and best wishes to Robert and all of you as you make service an even greater part of the solution to our challenges and the fabric of our nation.
 
All the best,
 
Patrick A. Corvington
CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.