MCC Expands Congressional and Public Affairs Team

Washington, D.C. – Building on efforts to better communicate with Congress, the media and partners in Washington and abroad, the Millennium Challenge Corporation today announced the expansion of its Congressional and Public Affairs Office. The office now has a complete staffing line-up of congressional relations and communications professionals, with Matt McLean appointed Vice President for Congressional and Public Affairs. MCC has tapped James Mazzarella as the new Managing Director for Congressional Affairs and Aaron Sherinian as the agency’s new Managing Director for Public Affairs.

In his capacity as Vice President for Congressional and Public Affairs, Matt McLean is responsible for leading MCC’s engagement with Congress and overseeing the organization’s relationships with other U.S. Government agencies, the media, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, universities, and other stakeholders interested in MCC’s mission. Mr. McLean joined MCC in October 2005 and served as chief of staff for two years. He was responsible for coordinating internal operations and advising the CEO on policy and management issues. Prior to joining MCC, Mr. McLean served as a professional staff member of the House International Relations Committee where he managed the Committee’s U.S. foreign aid portfolio. Mr. McLean served two tours on the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House. He also served as the Senior Policy Coordinator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Mr. McLean received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University’s College of Engineering and Technology and a master’s degree from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. For his full bio, please visit: http://www.mcc.gov/about/execprofiles/bio-mclean-matthew.php

James Mazzarella, who has been with the agency since February 2007 managing media strategies, moves over to be the new Managaing Director for Congressional Affairs. Mr. Mazzarella has over 15 years experience in public policy, government affairs and communications on the state, federal and international levels. Before MCC, he was Director of Federal Affairs for New York State and Governor George Pataki. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff and press secretary to Congresswoman Susan Molinari. In the early 1990’s he was a senior public relations account executive working with a number of international clients on their government affairs and media relations efforts. He is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. For his full bio, please visit: http://www.mcc.gov/about/execprofiles/bio-mazzarella-james.php

In his role as MCC’s new Managing Director for Public Affairs, Aaron Sherinian manages the agency’s strategic relationship with media outlets and the organization’s ongoing outreach efforts with stakeholders and public institutions. Prior to MCC, Mr. Sherinian served in the State Department, most recently as Press Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador. His diplomatic experience includes tours as Deputy Political and Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, in the Political and Consular Sections of the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and in the Office of Policy Planning under two Assistant Secretaries of State for the Western Hemisphere. His experience also includes service at U.S. Missions in Colombia and the Holy See (Vatican). Mr. Sherinian holds degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Brigham Young University. For his full bio, please visit: http://www.mcc.gov/about/execprofiles/bio-sherinian-aaron.php

The Congressional and Public Affairs Office produces regular reports and publications on the organization’s work to reduce poverty through economic growth in over 40 countries worldwide. It handles all media inquiries and interview requests and disseminates information to the public via statements, press releases and speeches. The office provides the most transparent and up-to-date information on the organization’s work with partner countries by coordinating outreach activities and events. The office also is in charge of a speaker’s bureau, which offers MCC representatives to key groups interested in the organization.

To view MCC’s newsletters, reports and fact sheets, please visit: www.mcc.gov.

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Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government corporation designed to work with developing countries, is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom, and investments in people that promote economic growth and elimination of extreme poverty.