University of North Carolina Athletics
Softball Alum Checks In From Iraq
March 11, 2004 | Softball
March 11, 2004
Former UNC softball player Maria Powers (1984-87) is currently working in Iraq as part of the Iraq Local Governance Project. Her company, RTI (Research Triangle Institute) International, is responsible for implementing the project in Iraq's 18 national governorates. Here's a description of the work from Powers, who volunteered for the project:
"I am working on administrative systems to support the project. I will be collaborating with people in each of the key functional areas of the project (for example, operations, contracts, etc.) to develop, document and hopefully streamline processes. There are many challenges involved with tracking staff in 18 locations around Iraq and there are significant reporting requirements by the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development). I will be located in the RTI facilities in Baghdad until approximately mid-May."
The photo of Powers and some coworkers was taken outside Saddam's palace in Baghdad. The palace is now occupied by military personnel and one of the ballrooms is used as cafeteria for military personnel and CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) staff and contractors.
