MCC Board Meeting Tomorrow: New Management Team, Threshold Review, and Compact Updates
6/15/10
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This is a joint post with Casey Dunning.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation will host its quarterly board meeting tomorrow, presided over by board chair Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. From what we hear, the board will be introduced to MCC’s new management team and will get updates on the threshold program review and current compact countries.
- MCC’s New Management Team: The MCC’s management team is now fully staffed and new members will be introduced to the board tomorrow. New arrivals since the last board meeting include Charles Cooper, vice president of congressional and public affairs; Melvin Williams, Jr., vice president and general counsel; and Victoria Wassmer, vice president for administration and finance.
- Threshold Program Review: The MCC has been reviewing and evaluating its threshold program. Senators Lugar and Kerry are among those who have called for rethinking the program and MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes told the Senators the review was underway and staff would coordinate with Congress on its future direction. The threshold review is another good sign that the MCC is learning while doing. It’s refreshing to see the MCC take a non-result (i.e. threshold programs did not move country indicator scores) not as failure but as critical information needed to evaluate impact, and then adjust the program accordingly to better assist countries that fall just short of full MCC eligibility. The board meeting tomorrow should yield important insights into the MCC’s concept for the threshold program going forward.
- Compact Updates: The board will hear updates on progress and potential risk in its compact countries. Senegal and Ghana will likely be on the agenda given recent corruption allegations highlighted during MCC’s congressional hearing and in the headlines. In response to Congressman Wolf, issues in Morocco will be addressed. Compact development in the Philippines will also be on the table as the Philippines recently held successful national elections and the MCC now has a new government with which to partner.
The MCC will hosts its usual post-board public outreach meeting on Thursday. In addition to remarks from CEO Daniel Yohannes, the event will include a “Results Spotlight Presentation” and a panel discussion featuring Patrick Fine, MCC vice president for compact implementation; Jim Greene, MCC deputy vice president for policy and international relations; and Glenn Lines, former MCC Madagascar resident country director. Check back here for a full read-out of the board meeting and what we can expect from the MCC over the summer months.
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