As you may be aware, Commander Kebede Alemu is retiring from ILRI. As a result we have recruited a new chief of security who will be joining us next Wednesday on 15 April. Commander Kebede will graciously continue assisting us until June through the transition.

Ato Admassu Mekonnen is joining us from Sheraton Addis where he was assistant director of Security serving over the past three years. He has 25 years of experience in security.  Much of his experience is from his time with the Ethiopian police where he obtained the rank of Commander. During his time with the police he held several different positions including head of public relations for the Amhara Region Police Commission, head of the Amhara Region Police Commission Training Center, and head of Crime Prevention and Crime Investigation for 5th and 4th Police Station in Addis Ababa. He has a BA degree in technology policing from University of South Africa, a BA degree in management from Unity University, and a diploma in police science and leadership from the Ethiopian Police University College.

I hope you will all join me in welcoming him as he begins his duties next Wednesday.

Gail Amare
Email: G.Amare@cgiar.org