WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah has announced that J. Mark Brinkmoeller will serve as Director of the Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives. The Center seeks to involve faith and community efforts throughout the Agency.

Before joining USAID, Mr. Brinkmoeller served as Senior External Engagement Advisor at ONE in Washington, D.C. In that position, he developed high-level strategic partnerships within the faith, business and NGO communities to increase the effectiveness and reach of ONE's advocacy efforts. He also managed relationships with faith-motivated artists and partnerships related to ONE's Living Proof Project.

Mr. Brinkmoeller directed church relations at Bread for the World, which included management of the department team, raising significant financial support and organizing advocacy and other support from over 30 denominations, para-church organizations and local congregations for poor and hungry people in the U.S. and around the world.

After a three-year stint on Capitol Hill, Mr. Brinkmoeller spent 15 years working for Midwestern Catholic dioceses. He oversaw the construction, operations and programs of the new Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison, Wis., which serves people from the United States, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Mr. Brinkmoeller is a graduate of the University of Dayton.