Glenn Blumhorst Takes Over! Welcome, Glenn
Dear Glenn, What a gargantuan position you are taking on which has become a daily/weekly must read ritual for so…
Glenn Writes:
As I take the reins of Peace Corps Worldwide it is with immense appreciation for John and Marian’s tireless efforts to advance the Peace Corps’ Third Goal through Peace Corps Worldwide, Peace Corps Writers, and Peace Corps Imprint. It is my intention to continue the good work that they have done for more than three decades and honor their exemplary legacies of service. We stand on their shoulders as we move forward.
For now I will be assuming John’s responsibilities for posting news, updates, and analysis from around the Peace Corps community, while coordinating with Marian, who will continue managing the Peace Corps Writers publishing arm of Peace Corps Worldwide. I’m grateful that Noah Beil will continue to provide indispensable IT support for the website. I look forward to working in partnership with them and welcome your suggestions and assistance for the future of Peace Corps Worldwide. Personally, one of my goals is to raise awareness of the Peace Corps community’s published works among the reading public while supporting writers and aspiring writers to tell their Peace Corps stories.
Many of you know that I am leading the Peace Corps community’s flagship campaign to establish Peace Corps Park on a National Park Service site near the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall. The expected approval of the final design by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts later this month marks a pivotal moment in the Park’s development, setting the stage for groundbreaking in 2025. Dedication in 2026 will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps as well as the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, symbolizing a commitment to volunteerism and global cooperation. We’ve already raised nearly $5 million towards the $10 million goal.
As National Peace Corps Association President and CEO from 2013 to 2022, our amazing team achieved a historic transformation from passive alumni association to dynamic community-driven social impact enterprise, increasing annual revenues from $1 million to $4.4 and a staff of 24. Previously, in my 18 years with ACDI/VOCA, I led teams that designed and implemented a $310 million portfolio of global community development projects. My career began as a three-year (1988-91) Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, with my wife of now 41 years, Cathy Blumhorst.
I serve on the advisory boards of the National Museum and Center for Service and CorpsAfrica. I am a board director of TCP-Global – an inclusive community finance organization, and am a bilingual volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank distribution center. An aviation enthusiast, I am a licensed private pilot with more than 500 hours as pilot-in-command of single- and multi-engine aircraft.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to already meet many of you and look forward to forging new friendships.
In service,
Glenn Blumhorst (Guatemala 1988-91)
Glenn
Welcome and Thank You, Glenn!
Thank you, Clifford. I look forward to this new role.
Best wishes Glenn.
Thank you, Jim. It’s always great to hear from you and I’m grateful for your steadfast support.
Welcome Glenn.
Thanks to John for all the years of work, and it looks like the work is in good hands with the reigns being passed to Glenn.
I’m honored to be stepping into John’s and Marian’s huge shoes!
Glenn.
So glad you are taking over for John. Welcome!
Thank you, Sharon. That’s very kind of you.
As a reader for many decades, I have often marveled at the unwavering, tireless commitment of John Coyne and Marian Biel to Peace Corps Writers and Readers. Glenn, good luck. John, we owe you a big fat gold medal for your promotion of the Peace Corps third goal as exemplified by your life of service to chronicling and promoting the writers and journalists among us.
Words are your thing but there are
No words really for the relentless pursuit of all things Peace Corps you have given us for what, forty years? Just wow and Thank You.
Maureen Orth
Colombia 1964-66.
Well said, Maureen! John and Marian are Third Goal Champions! And I look forward to your continued counsel and advice, Maureen.
Glenn, I’m thrilled that you’re doing this, and I think it will mesh well with the other forms of outreach that you are generously involved in. Congratulations.
Thanks, Steve! Always a pleasure to hear from you. It’s a privilege to serve the Peace Corps community.
Good Luck, Brother!
Thank you!
Many thanks to Marian, John and Glenn for carrying on PCW, a gem of a tool for connection and communication. The Peace Corps Museum is proud to feature a searchable database of 3,300 Peace Corps authors donated to us by Marian Haley Beil. We’re partners with Glenn Blumhorst’s Peace Corps Park and will share our compelling stories digitally with those who visit the Park. As Pat Wand used to say: Onward and upward, celebrating our common humanity.
John, our mutual commitment to tell the Peace Corps story makes for a great partnership. I’m delighted to be working with the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience as we bring Peace Corps Park alive, and look forward to collaboration on Peace Corps Worldwide. Oh, how we miss our dear friend, Pat.
Glenn,
Welcome. Hope you will continue sending out the frequent email alerts about new postings to the website. I look forward to these as they are so varied & a constant reminder of what Peace Corps has accomplished over the years.
John & Marian should be nominated for some kind of national award for their dedication to Peace Corps & years of service. I will miss John’s frequent emails which were also a reminder of our service together, along with Marian, as PCVs in Ethiopia 1.
Jasperdean
Jasperdean, thank you for your fitting tribute to John and Marian. We’re still in the process of transferring the email list over to my purview. In the interim, please be sure to check the Peace Corps Worldwide website regularly for new posts. And thank you for your service. I am grateful for the Peace Corps pioneers who paved the way for those of us who followed you.
Thank you John, Marian, and Glenn for your consistent, decades-long promotion of Peace Corps writers. You help us maintain a thriving community of returned volunteers.
Thank you, Evelyn. It’s nice to hear from you and I’m grateful for your steadfast support.
Welcome aboard, Glenn. I previously privately thanked John and Marian for their tireless efforts in preserving the Peace Corps’ legacy. Let me know if I can help.
Best,
G.
Thank you, Gary! I’ll be in touch to take you up on your offer Hope to see you again soon in Seattle.
Dear Glenn,
I’m so glad that you will be taking over John’s role with Peace Corps Worldwide. We could not ask for a better candidate to fill his enormous shoes. How can we possibly express years of gratitude to John and Marion. Now we look forward to having you, Glenn, at the helm of this iconic project.
Peace and good luck!
Leita
Thank you so much, Leita. You are an inspiration to me. “Iconic” is a great term for this project that John and Marian have created. See you in December!
To John and Marian, PeaceCorpsWorldwide has been a part of my daily routine for so many years. I am deeply appreciative of your commitment to the Third Goal. Yes, NPCA must create a special award to recognize your contribution. You are leaving a wonderful legacy, a tough act for Glenn to follow.
Glenn, you are truly up for the task, let us know how we can support you.
Warmly,
Kay, thank you for your confidence. I’m grateful for our friendship and your steadfast support. I’ll strive to provide worthy content for your “daily routine,” knowing you’ve been accustomed to it for so long!
Thank you Glenn for accepting the torch that John has passed on. I know I speak for many when I write that John has been a pillar of support and connection for writers for decades and incredibly humble and kind with his time and expertise. He has allowed RPCV writers to have a space and voice for so many others to read and experience. John, “thank you” doesn’t even come close to the endless hours and conversations you have had to launch and keep this alive! Your legacy continues!
Laurette, I couldn’t have said it better! John and Marian have provided such an important service to the Peace Corps community. Thank you!
Best wishes, Glenn, and thanks for stepping in. John and Marian have big shoes to fill but I am sure you are up to it.
Miriam Aiken
Philippines 1965-1967
Big shoes, indeed! Thank you for your support and kind words.
PeaceCorpsWorldwide is a great institution and I’m glad you are stepping into John Coyne’s big shoes to keep it alive and thriving.
Thanks, Lex. Great to hear from you!
Dear Glenn,
Thank you so much for all that you have already done to promote the work of Peace Corps and the RPCV community. You are a great choice to continue the work of John and Marian. Thank you for continuing this wonderful program.
Thank you so much, Joanne. I am grateful for your steadfast support and friendship. It’s a privilege to continue promoting the Peace Corps community far and wide!
Heartfelt thanks to John and Marian for their decades-long, unwavering commitment to Peace Corps, RPCVs and PCWs. Glad to see that Marian is continuing the Imprint, too. And hats off to you, Glenn, for taking this over and contributing to the Peace Corps community in a yet another way. Many of us are deeply grateful for all three of you.
That’s very kind of you, Andy. Many thanks!
Good succession and may it suit you also as well as so many of us.
Very kind of you, Edward. Thanks for the vote of confidence!
My ballot arrived by mail at three in the afternoon. It was completed and in the county drop box before five. I ain’t foolin’ around. It’s time to punish the once Grand Old Party for permitting itself to be run by cheats, liars and traitors. We’ve had other parties disappear. Time to wave goodbye.
Congrats Glenn and Thank You John and Marian!
Tony (Vanuatu 94-97)
Glen congratulations on the new role. Good to have seen you in Quebec. It was a wonderful time for so many of us. Lot of good -memories. Send me a note Pat
Dear Glenn,
What a gargantuan position you are taking on which has become a daily/weekly must read ritual for so many RPCVs and PC friends – a global intergenerational connection with historical context while sharing meaningful memorable life-changing experiences over 65 years – and such a support to writers.
John and Marian – You are a living – walking Peace Corps encyclopedia and megaphone.
Your Peace Corps knowledge and dedication know no bounds.
Your contribution is immeasurable. Thank you. Thank you.
Glenn: If anyone can step into this multifaceted demanding role, you can with your decades of service
to the Peace Corps and international development. Your accomplishments speak for themselves,
and your tireless dedication and productive involvement in so many capacities with the Peace Corps,
Peace Corps ideals and RPCVs is truly impressive.
With appreciation, Glenn, for taking on this challenge and to John and Marian for your ~ 40 years of
daily unswerving pro bono dedication and hard work to so successfully communicate the
Peace Corps story within and without – continuously increasing Peace Corps engagement and interest.
With appreciation, awe and admiration,
Geri