International Bird Rescue (IBR) has chosen John "JD" Bergeron as its new Executive Director. Bergeron will lead the California-based aquatic bird rehabilitation organization that has been saving seabirds and other aquatic birds around the world since 1971.
Since the death of IBR's longtime director, Jay Holcomb, in 2014, Barbara Callahan has been filling in as interim director of the organization.
"JD's non-profit and development experience will serve our organization well and will help us build on Jay's legacy of mitigating the human impact on aquatic birds and we're lucky to have him at the helm," Barbara Callahan said.
As the new executive director, Bergeron brings to IBR nearly two decades of management, marketing, communications and operations experience. His diverse background includes NGO and corporate work, as well as a strong background in fundraising including the creation of a bicycle fundraiser for HIV/AIDS in Africa which has raised over a half million dollars in its first four years.
"We are very pleased to announce this appointment," said Susan Kaveggia, IBR's Board Chair. "JD will bring leadership and creativity to our important wildlife programs and a deep commitment to our worldwide oil spill response and training"
Bergeron comes to IBR most recently from Truelift, a microfinance industry initiative to recognize financial service providers who are bringing benefits to poor families. Bergeron is also the founder and president of Chooda, a nonprofit organization that creates experiences for participants that help raise understanding and resources to help address critical issues abroad, such as HIV/AIDS, girls' education, and poverty.
Prior to Truelift, he was the Senior Director of Social Performance at Kiva Microfunds and also ran the Fellows Program in which he recruited, trained, and engaged over 250 fellows in over 55 countries. He also served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Bulgaria as a community and economic development volunteer. He has traveled to and worked in over 55 countries and is looking forward to continuing to spread IBR's knowledge and experience internationally.
International Bird Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to mitigating the human impact on seabirds and other aquatic bird species worldwide. This is achieved through emergency response, education, research, and planning.
It operates and helps manage two full-time wildlife rehabilitation centers – one near Los Angeles Harbor and the other on San Francisco Bay. The clinics are key response centers for California's Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN).
IBR also manages the Alaska Wildlife Response Center (AWRC) in Anchorage, Alaska that is designed for oiled wildlife rehabilitation and care while standing stocked, equipped and ready to help in all wildlife emergencies.
To learn more visit http://www.birdrescue.org
