Russell Allen Wolford
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Co-author of Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits
• Leadership capabilities with proven ability to mobilize resources and motivate people
• Proven ability in directing relief operations and accomplishing project goals
• Sound knowledge of intricacies involved in grant acquisition, grant administration and related procurement and cost principles, including grant review
• Ability to communicate effectively with government and the media
CHRISTIAN ADVOCACY NETWORK
President and Founding Director 2014
Christian Advocacy Network was founded at the request of a Somali, Christian missionary who saw a need for one-on-one assistance to persecuted Christians. He and others “on the ground” provide eyes and ears in places that are hostile to Christianity. A few of us in Ohio and SW Florida provide administrative and logistical support.
SOMALIA AND EAST AFRICA DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC COORDINATION
Founder and Executive Director 12/95 - Present
Somalia and East Africa Development and Economic Coordination (SEADEC) was established for the purpose of meeting the resettlement needs of refugees in Central Ohio. SEADEC provided employability services and job placement, multi-lingual and multi-cultural information and referral and services for youth. SEADEC collaborated with other refugee resettlement agencies on programs as diverse as Center for Victims of Torture, a Somali media project and the Refugee Tobacco Use Prevention Program.
Consultancies have included:
• Member of Sarasota County Human Services Advisory Council
• Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Grant Close Out Volunteer
• Tampa Bay Burmese Council, Start-up and 501(c)(3) application for nonprofit status
• Somali Bantu Community Association, Project Administrator for a training contract
• Contract Review with DHHS, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services for Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Assignment with MEDAIR in Sudan to develop procedures for a multi-sector development project
SEADEC funding sources included local government, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, private foundations, individuals, United Way and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY INTERNATIONAL
Nairobi, Kenya 11/93 - 8/95
? As Somalia Country Director, directed successful relief operation in southern Somalia to meet immediate medical needs and establish food security
? Established the foundation for sustaining community services and the region’s economic base
? Maintained working relations with the district elders and assisted in the post-war stability of the area
? Responded to the Rwandan refugee crisis with immediate assistance into western Tanzania and Goma, Zaire, by mobilizing relief teams and delivering relief supplies
Administrative responsibilities included project policies and procedures, donor relations, grant acquisitions and financial reporting. Public relations activities included press releases, media conferences with Somali political leaders and joint inter-agency planning.
Major funding sources included British Overseas Development Administration, U.N. High Commission for Refugees and TEAR Fund UK. Other funding sources included USAID and UNICEF.
Education: Ohio State University, B.S. in Finance; Federal Acquisition Regulations Seminars
Prior employers: Habitat for Humanity/PNG, USAID/Somalia, States of Ohio and North Carolina