WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America has appointed longtime Director of the Yerevan Office, Arpi Vartanian, to serve as the Assembly's Acting Executive Director. Vartanian's goals include strengthening operations between the Armenia and US offices to be included in strategic long-term program planning and raising awareness of problems facing Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. She will serve as Acting Executive Director in Washington for up to one year.

Vartanian previously served as the Assembly's NGO Training Center Director from 1994-1995 and the Armenian-American Action Committee (ARAMAC) Director in Washington from 1996-1997. Vartanian replaces Ross Vartian who, as Director of Planning, is charged with overseeing the development of the Armenian Genocide Museum & Memorial. "It is great to return to the Assembly's Washington Office," Vartanian said.

"I look forward to advocating for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh from Washington."

"Arpi will be a full participant in the planning process for our expanded range of initiatives in Armenia and Karabagh," said Board of Trustees Chair Hirair Hovnanian. "Her service in Washington as Acting Executive Director will make her even more effective when she returns to Armenia as Country Director."

Vartanian has already traveled to Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit, in order to meet with members of the Armenian-American community. While there, Vartanian emphasized that members' support for the Assembly's work is making an impact in Armenia. She encouraged all those present to get involved, become active players, and urged them to rely on the Assembly for any assistance they might need.