Congressman John Garamendi Hires International Peacebuilder Chic Dambach to Serve as New Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who has been active in international conflict resolution for decades, today is proud to announce that he has chosen Charles "Chic" Dambach to serve as his new Chief of Staff.

"For decades, Chic Dambach has been a powerful voice for international peace and justice," said Congressman Garamendi. "We've worked with each other to end wars and to expand the reach and influence of the Peace Corps. I am confident that in his new capacity in my Congressional office, he will be a forceful and effective advocate for a peaceful and prosperous America, something we all want."

"I am tremendously honored and excited with this opportunity to work again with Congressman Garamendi," said Chic Dambach. "I have admired his skills and his values for decades, and we have worked together on major conflict resolution projects in Africa as well as other causes. I look forward to helping the Congressman advance his priorities and initiatives."

From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Dambach was President and CEO of the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), a network of organizations and professionals who help build sustainable peace and security worldwide. He previously served as the CEO of the National Peace Corps Association and as a consultant to a number of national and international organizations, including United Way of America, Phi Beta Kappa, Special Olympics, Red Cross, and Amnesty International USA. Mr. Dambach is an adjunct professor for the Elliott School at George Washington University. Chic served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia from 1967 through 1969.

In 1999, Mr. Dambach and California Congressman John Garamendi created a team of returned Peace Corps Volunteers to work informally with the leaders of Eritrea and Ethiopia to help end their border war. The team met frequently with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Eritrea's President Isayas Afwerki and their representatives. The team was recognized by Prime Minister Meles for "creating the momentum and the spirit which made this historic achievement (the peace agreement) possible."

Mr. Dambach is the author of a memoir, Exhaust the Limits, the Life and Times of a Global Peacebuilder. He is also the author of Structures and Practices of Nonprofit Boards and co-author of The Business Professional’s Guide to Nonprofit Board Service. Mr. Dambach has a BA degree from Oklahoma State University, plus an MBA degree from Wake Forest University.