2.05.2008 - 08:30am ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC - February 5, 2008 —The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors. Dr. Sturchio is Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, at Merck & Co., Inc.

Dr. Sturchio, who will succeed Mr. Maurice Tempelsman as the Board Chair, has served as CCA Board Vice-Chairman since 2006 and will begin his new role effective February 5, 2008. Mr. Tempelsman, Chairman of Lazare Kaplan International, Inc., served as CCA Board Chairman from 1999-2001 and 2007.

"We are fortunate to have Dr. Sturchio serve as our new Board Chair," said CCA President Stephen Hayes. "In addition to continuing his work in assisting CCA to strengthen U.S.-Africa business ties and further diversify our program portfolio, Dr. Sturchio’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the international corporate and pharmaceutical worlds, especially in Africa, will help further expand and raise awareness for our health programs, which have had a tremendous positive effect on U.S. business in Africa."

As Chairman, Dr. Sturchio will lead the organization's Board of Directors, which includes leaders from the U.S. private sector and internationally-focused organizations. He will work with CCA President Stephen Hayes on the direction of the organization and its broad objectives.

"I want to recognize Maurice Tempelsman's outstanding leadership during his tenure as CCA Chairman," said Dr. Sturchio. "Thanks to his efforts and outstanding staff support, CCA is in an excellent position to continue to build strong partnerships between the U.S. and Africa, which will lead to sustainable outcomes. I look forward to contributing to this important work."

As Merck's Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, Dr. Sturchio manages a portfolio of activities including The Merck Company Foundation/Corporate Contributions, Merck Institute for Science Education, Merck Childhood Asthma Network, global health partnerships (including the Merck MECTIZAN Donation Program), global HIV/AIDS access programs, corporate responsibility reporting and Merck Archives.

Dr. Sturchio has been centrally involved in Merck’s participation in the UN/Industry Accelerating Access Initiative to help improve HIV/AIDS care and treatment in the developing world. He is also a member of the private sector delegation to the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

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