News: Eric Reading and James Butcher Named New EVPs of Chemonics

Mr. Reading and Mr. Butcher will join current Executive Vice President Susi Mudge, until she assumes her new role as President and CEO on April 1, 2013.

Mr. Reading started working for Chemonics in 1994. Most recently, he led Chemonics activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, overseeing governance, capacity building, economic growth, and stabilization activities. Previously he was SVP of the Middle East division overseeing activities with the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, and Jordan. He also worked in Kosovo and Egypt as chief of party and technical advisor for institutional strengthening programs. Already an experienced technical specialist in transitional development environments, Mr. Reading is pursuing a PhD in Governance and Globalization at Virginia Tech with a focus on political transitions.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve Chemonics in this new role. The work we do around the world has a real impact and being able to contribute to improving peoples’ lives is both exciting and meaningful,” Mr. Reading said.

Since joining Chemonics in 1998, Mr. Butcher has served in many roles and regions. He has led and participated in a number of new business initiatives for both the former Global Division and the Europe and Eurasia region. As a private sector development specialist, Mr. Butcher has conducted technical assignments on projects from Guyana to Sri Lanka to Morocco. He served as chief of party of the Armenia Micro Enterprise Development Initiative (MEDI). Most recently he has served as SVP of the East Africa region. Previously he served as SVP of the Europe and Eurasia region.

“I am grateful to have yet another opportunity to contribute to Chemonics,” Mr. Butcher said. “I’m pleased that in this new position I will be able to support our teams here in the home office and, most importantly, those in the field whose work has a direct daily impact on the livelihoods of so many people around the world.”

Last fall, Chemonics Chairman of the Board Eijk Van Otterloo announced that Executive Vice President Susi Mudge will succeed Richard Dreiman as the firm’s President and CEO on April 1, 2013. Ms. Mudge will become the fourth CEO to lead the company since its founding.

This CEO and EVP transition is part of the firm’s ongoing succession planning, led by its Board. With a commitment to promote leaders from within, the Board of Directors spends considerable time encouraging and developing future leaders, with the expectation that leaders will change roles and refresh themselves regularly.

“Our transition to Susi Mudge as Chemonics next CEO, and Eric Reading and Jamey Butcher as new EVPs, underscores how Chemonics prepares for a successful future. It has been an honor for me to serve as CEO of Chemonics, and I am more excited than ever about our leadership team going forward,” Mr. Dreiman said.