Development specialist James Vermillion is beginning his new role as executive vice president of IFES. “I’ve known IFES and its cutting-edge democracy work for years now and I am both excited and delighted to now be part of the IFES team,” Vermillion said. As executive vice president, Vermillion is responsible for the day-to-day management at IFES, including overseeing the organization’s programmatic, fiscal, developmental and administrative operations. The role includes integrating IFES’ new applied research and post-conflict transition centers, as well as strengthening relationships with funding and programming partners. Vermillion comes to IFES after serving as managing director of the Latin American division at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an organization that works to achieve economic growth and reduce poverty in the developing world. Prior to MCC, Vermillion spent two decades at the United States Agency for International Development, culminating in his position as USAID director in Nicaragua. IFES President Richard Soudriette said that Vermillion’s experience and analytical skills will strengthen IFES’ work in its core program areas of elections assistance, civil society building, rule of law and governance.