PLEASANTON, CA--(Marketwire - January 25, 2011) - As Extollo International nears completion of its prototype project of buildings in Haiti, they have hired Tom Perko as Executive Director. Reporting directly to Founder and CEO Sherman D. Balch, Perko's main responsibilities will include day-to-day operations, overseeing construction projects and donor relations for the non-profit NGO (non-government organization). He will have cost control responsibility and focus on expanding the reach and influence of Extollo.
Extollo International is nearing completion of an initial rebuilding project in Leogane, Haiti, near the epicenter of the January 2010 earthquake and 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince. Extollo is constructing four buildings at the Dezman Fleury Foundation site that includes an orphanage and a school. This "proof of concept" project includes building permanent, cost-effective structures that are hurricane and earthquake resistant using local materials and labor. Local Haitians have completed a good portion of the work so far. At project completion Extollo International will look for other sites to rebuild in Haiti, through either acquisition or partnership. Extollo's long-range vision is to build a construction trade school on the island.
Peace Corps, Catholic Relief Services
Perko brings a wide range of cross cultural and international experience to the organization including a broad construction background in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. He has worked with the Peace Corps in Africa, Catholic Relief Services in Eastern Europe and Russia and The World Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will work predominately from the Northern California headquarters of Extollo International but will also spend considerable time in Haiti. Extollo plans to duplicate its Haiti concept of cost effective, structurally sound construction to other parts of the world affected by disaster or poverty.
About Extollo International
Extollo International is a Christian humanitarian organization under the non-profit 501 (c) (3) umbrella of Christian Education Development Company. Its mission is to train and educate local populations to facilitate the building of structurally sound homes, schools and other facilities in areas of the world affected by disaster or poverty. They create jobs by training nationals with employable skills; they stimulate local economies by employing nationals in their projects. Currently they are concentrating their efforts in Haiti. See www.ExtolloInternational.org.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Bruce Kirkpatrick
Office: 925.244.9100
Mobile: 925.699.0260