New Executive Assistant for MCC Manitoba

Mennonite Central Committee
Tuesday, 9 January 2001

Paul Friesen has joined Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Manitoba as executive assistant - resource programs. He replaces Kathy Fast who has taken a position at Mennonite Church Canada.

Friesen's job includes working with the three relief sales in Manitoba, coordinating the annual "Bike the Whiteshell" cyclathon, and making presentations to various groups about MCC's work. When Martha Klassen retires in spring, he will also assume her responsibilities as thrift store coordinator for Manitoba.

Friesen, who started in January, 2001, said he's looking forward to meeting constituents, learning more about MCC's role in Manitoba and implementing new ideas. "Paul brings energy, lots of experience in coordinating projects, and familiarity with some of the larger international work of MCC, to this position," said Ken Reddig, MCC Manitoba executive director. "He also knows the Mennonite constituency in Manitoba quite well."

Friesen first connected with MCC when he volunteered with the material aid warehouse in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, from 1995-97. Upon returning to Manitoba, Friesen spent the next couple of years helping coordinate the Mennonite Disaster Service's Red River Flood efforts from the MCC office in Winnipeg.

For the last 1 ½ years, Friesen was self-employed as a renovator. With work slowing this fall, he was open to new opportunities. "I really enjoyed my time with MCC in Akron (MCC's binational headquarters in Pennsylvania) and thought this was another way to carry on with that interest," said Friesen.

Paul and Eleanor Friesen, and their two young sons, live in Steinbach. They attend the Christian Fellowship Church there.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org