WASHINGTON — American Councils for International Education President Lorne Craner stepped down on Wednesday.
“The board is grateful to Lorne for his service to American Councils,” said Board of Trustees Chair Robert Rhea. “As we look forward to the months ahead, we have full confidence in the strategic direction of American Councils, its leadership, and its remarkable staff. Its vital programs in cultural exchange, language immersion, and professional development in almost 90 countries around the globe will continue to grow in significance and impact.”
Mr. Rhea welcomed the appointment of David Patton, Ph.D, executive vice president of American Councils, as acting president.
“We are extremely fortunate to have in Dr. Patton a strong and experienced leader,” Mr. Rhea said. “I speak on behalf of the American Councils Board in expressing our full confidence in his ability to take the organization forward by implementing the strategic vision that he has actively shaped in recent months.”
Dr. Patton joined American Councils in 1993, serving as the New Independent States (NIS) regional director in Moscow. He was named the vice president for field operations in 2002, overseeing more than 50 field offices in 15 countries in Europe and Eurasia. Appointed executive vice president in 2013, Dr. Patton has had primary responsibility for the oversight of American Councils’ overseas offices, higher education portfolio, and development efforts.
He completed his Ph.D. in Slavic linguistics at the Ohio State University. His dissertation is on analytic development in the modern Russian language. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Russian studies at the University of Oregon.
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