WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the White House Office of the Press Secretary announced President Bush’s intention to nominate David Eisner to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, replacing Leslie Lenkowsky who has announced his decision to leave the agency on August 15 to return to academia. The Corporation, which directs the national service programs that are a fundamental part of President Bush’s agenda for engaging Americans in service to their communities, also announced that James F. Manning has been selected to serve as its Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Manning will join the Corporation’s senior leadership team that is guiding the agency through a comprehensive reform effort. If confirmed by the United States Senate, Eisner will lead this team in its initiatives to strengthen and expand the capacity of the Corporation’s programs to meet needs for education, public safety, homeland security, environmental protection, and other human services in America’s communities.

“The President has selected leaders for this agency who have extensive management experience in the government and private and nonprofit sectors,” said Stephen Goldsmith, Chair of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. “David and Jim will work with senior leadership and a dedicated and professional staff to carry out an aggressive management agenda that will strengthen the organization and help cement the role of national service programs in supporting America’s communities.”

Eisner is currently a consultant for Network for Good, having recently departed AOL Time Warner in June 2003 where he was Vice President of Corporate Relations at AOL Time Warner and Senior Vice President of the AOL Time Warner Foundation. From May 1997 until January 2001, Eisner served as Senior Vice President of the AOL Foundation and as Vice President of Corporate Communications at America Online, Inc. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Fleischman-Hillard International Communications, Washington, D.C. from February 1993 until May 1997. Eisner was Director of Field Communications of Legal Services Corporation from January 1990 until February 1993. Earlier in his career, he was the Press Secretary for Congressman Mac Sweeney, Congressman Bill McCollum and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher. Eisner is a Board Member of the Independent Sector, Advisory Board Member of America 's Promise, Founder and Board Member of Network for Good, and Board Member and Trustee of the National 4-H Council. He earned his B.A. at Stanford University and has a Prospective J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. He and his wife Lori live in Bethesda, Maryland with their four children.

Goldsmith applauded the President’s selection: “If confirmed, David will bring to the Corporation the skills of an accomplished leader within the private sector and vast expertise engaging the business community and the American people in supporting national service and community volunteering.”

As the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer, Manning will be responsible for overseeing the Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve programs that engage millions of Americans in service to their communities, as well as the Corporation’s state offices across the country. He will manage the Corporation’s grant-making process and oversee its Office of Development and Leadership Training, which provides assistance to Corporation grantees.

Formerly Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Education, Manning also served as Acting Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid, overseeing the office’s 1,200 employees and annual budget of nearly $65 billion. He was a key player in the Department’s successful effort to obtain a first clean opinion from its outside financial auditors. Manning has been a leader in the nonprofit sector, as National Director of the Congressional Award Foundation, and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Catholic Alliance. He is also a former Director of International Events for the National Basketball Association. Manning’s previous government service includes the Departments of Education and State, and service as Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan and Director of Projects for the First Lady. A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Manning and his wife Ann have four children and live in Virginia.

“Jim has a demonstrated track record as an effective manager of a government agency,” Goldsmith said. “He will bring that vital experience to the Corporation’s programs, as well as his experience working with America’s community and faith-based organizations and institutions.”

Current Chief Executive Leslie Lenkowsky has previously shared with the Corporation’s staff and grantees his intention to depart the agency and return to a college or university community. Today he formally submitted his resignation and announced his plans to leave on August 15. “Les has been a dedicated leader of the Corporation and has worked tirelessly to advance the President’s volunteer service agenda and lay the foundation for improvements at the agency,” said Goldsmith. “We thank him for his time and commitment in service to the Corporation, both as CEO and as a longtime Board member.”

Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, the Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country. The Corporation and its programs are part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and to help all Americans answer the President's Call to Service. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.org.

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