National Service Agency Announces Appointments

Washington, DC—The Corporation for National and Community Service announced the appointment of five top experts to key positions—Robert Velasco II, Chief Operating Officer (COO); Sacha Cohen, Director of New Media; Kimberly Allman, Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs; and Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi and Rosa Moreno-Mahoney, Deputy Directors for AmeriCorps.

“These are tough times and the American public is expecting us to deliver bigger, effective results to address the most pressing challenges facing their communities,” said Patrick A.Corvington, CEO of the Corporation. “These individuals' unique experiences will prove critical as we build the infrastructure needed to support the growth called for by the Serve America Act and to implement strategies to help realize community solutions over the long haul.”

Below is background on the five appointees:

Robert Velasco II—Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Robert Velasco II joins the Corporation with more than 15 years of Executive Branch experience.Most recently, he served as Director of Management Operations within the Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA), overseeing the budget, financial management, information technology, acquisitions, and performance reporting for the federal adjudicatory agency. Previously, he served as OMHA's Director of Program Operations, building a national policy framework and coordinating case management operations with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the Social Security Administration, and the HHS Departmental Appeals Board. Prior to OMHA, Robert held a number of senior level positions within the Administration for Children and Families, HHS' primary social service agency.

Sacha Cohen—Director of New Media

Sacha Cohen joins the agency in the newly created position of Director of New Media. Sacha has more than 15 years of experience in print and new media. Most recently, Sacha managed a consulting firm, specializing in social media strategies and content development. Previously, she served as the Web Content and Social Media Manager at Rosetta Stone, as a Managing Editor of the Magazine Group, and as the Online Marketing Manager for AARP.

Kimberly Allman—Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs

Kimberly Allman brings more than 15 years of experience working in federal and state government and with trade associations. Most recently, Kimberly served as Senior Vice President for State Government Affairs at TechAmerica, the largest trade association representing the U.S. technology industry. Previously, she founded Allman Strategies, LLC, a strategic government relations consulting firm specializing in entertainment clients, financial services, and nonprofits. Kimberly also managed the fifty–state government affairs program for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as Senior Vice President for State Government and Industry Relations. In addition to her corporate and trade association experiences, Kimberly worked for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter as a press secretary and senior policy advisor to the Michigan State Senate.

Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi—Deputy Director for AmeriCorps

Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi brings more than 17 years of experience to her new role as Deputy Director for AmeriCorps. Most recently, she was a vice president at YouthBuild USA, where she oversaw all of its AmeriCorps programming. At YouthBuild, she held various positions over 11 years. Prior to her work at YouthBuild, Jennifer was a search consultant at Isaacson Miller in Boston and a program officer in AmeriCorps from 1996-1998. She also worked at Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) and Youth Service America.

Rosa Moreno-Mahoney—Deputy Director for AmeriCorps

Rosa Moreno-Mahoney joins the agency as the Deputy Director for AmeriCorps. Most recently, she was the vice president of the OneStar Foundation (the Texas Commission), where she led and managed the AmeriCorps and civic participation portfolios.Prior to her work at the OneStar Foundation, Rosa served as a program officer at the Massachusetts Service Alliance. Rosa served as an AmeriCorps NCCC team leader from 1997-98 and AmeriCorps National member from 1995-97.