Direct Relief Names New Board Members

Direct Relief International
Wednesday, 14 February 2001

SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 14, 2001) - Direct Relief International, the Santa Barbara-based humanitarian aid organization, has named four new members to its Board of Directors. Andrea Capachietti, Morgan Clendenen, Catherine (Cate) Firestone and Richard (Dick) Johnson will each serve three-year terms on the Board, through 2004.

Andrea Capachietti is a humanitarian aid advisor and university lecturer on social policy and health-related issues. Her particular area of expertise relates to forced migration and the impact of war on the health and human rights of refugees issues. Ms. Capachietti is a member of a number of professional organizations, including Physicians for human rights, the International Criminal Court Alliance and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. She holds a Masters of Science in Child Development and a Doctorate in Social Policy. She has also received an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from a consortium of educational institutions in Geneva, Switzerland.

Morgan Clendenen is the founder and owner of Cold Heaven Winery, named for a poem by William Butler Yeats. Started in 1996, the focus of the label is primarily Viognier from single vineyards and a small production of Pinot Noir. She and her husband Jim (owner of Au Bon Climat Winery) have two children, Knox and Isabella.

Catherine (Cate) Firestone was born in India, where her father was an Anglican priest. She returned to England after 9 _ years, and after completing school she trained with the Royal Ballet, where she danced as a soloist for eight years. She then married and moved to the United States, working in Public Relations for Firestone Tire and Rubber both in this country and in Rome and London. Upon moving to Santa Ynez, she started the Firestone Winery (now Firestone Family Estates). Ms. Firestone and her husband, California Assemblyman Brooks Firestone, have four children and 10 grandchildren, with an eleventh on the way.

Richard A. Johnson, the fourth new member of Direct Relief's Board of Directors, has a background in engineering and corporate management with the Sun Oil Company, Air Products and Chemicals, and Air Liquide America. Mr. Johnson lived in Europe for four years and was the owner of Richard Johnson Vineyards in St. Helena, California until 1996.

For the second year in a row, retired financial consultant Richard (Dick) Godfrey will serve as Chair of the Board. Mr. Godfrey has over 35 years experience in the investment management business, most recently as a Managing Director of Trust Company of the West, a global investment management firm supervising accounts in excess of $50 billion. He worked with high net worth families, endowments and foundation clients.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org