Eric Reading
Reading significantly expanded the World Affairs Program in both membership and funding. Most notably, in Fall 1990 WAP was able to send the first large delegation to a conference--40 participants to the University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference (UPMUNC)--where the team placed second. In this period the program dramatically increased funding from Student Governemnt as a Student Academic Program. In 1991, the program purchased the first computer for the WAP office, then located in 560 Bellamy Building.
After leaving FSU, Reading joined Chemonics International, a major international development firm based in Washington DC. He is currently Executive Vice President and previously served as Senior Vice President for the Afghanistan/Pakistan region and the Middle East regions of the firm, in each role overseeing a staff of about 500 technical experts in various disciplines of international development. Working in more than 30 countries, he has advised governments in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia on policy options for economic and political development. He has worked to strengthen key institutions such as local governments, government ministries, and utilities. He served in long-term assignments overseas for five years in Egypt and Kosovo, and speaks proficient Arabic. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in international affairs from the FSU College of Social Sciences, served as director of the FSU World Affairs Program in 1990-1991, is a life member of the FSU Alumni Association.
