High profile jobs are understandably challenging for most people. Two jobs worth noting are Director of Marketing of West African Medical Mission (WAMM) and that of a US Army Soldier. SPC Everett Clifton, currently stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, is certainly up to the dual challenge. After graduating the Portland State School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, SPC Clifton enlisted into the US Army on October 14, 2008. In June of 2010, while deployed to Iraq, SPC Clifton spent his R&R leave in Sierra Leone to get a feel for what WAMM is doing. This assisted SPC Clifton in the restructuring of the philanthropic, non-profit group at the request of WAMM CEO Gabe Schlough, a friend from school.

WAMM efforts are strengthening the health care systems by working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. SPC Clifton has been working closely with WAMM’s Young Scholars of Sierra Leone program. This program reaches out to community youths and teaches them ways to improve basic living standards like maintaining water cleanliness and proper sanitation. SPC Clifton’s experiences while deployed to Iraq assisting unit leadership with Key Leader Engagements has helped shape the program considerably. With SPC Clifton’s advice, a program that started with 70 students now has more than 400.

SPC Clifton didn’t just stop there, however. As Director of Marketing, his role is to improve WAMM by building a company image. Which includes’, working on recreating the WAMM logo, organizing Sierra Leone bound volunteers who, maintaining and improving the WAMM website

(www.westafricanmedicalmissions.org), seeking out new donors, and strengthening ties with other businesses here in the United States. The logistical challenge of shipping of thousands of pounds of goods like computers, books, and medical supplies also falls under his job title.

Additionally, SPC Clifton is also busy with his full time work with the Army. He works with the Department of Public Works on improving and maintaining the grounds around Fort Carson and also is working towards earning his Masters of Business Administration. After his time in the Army, SPC Clifton intends to work full time for WAMM and help make it one of the most important non-profit organizations in West Africa.

Picture Caption: SPC Clifton (left) with WAMM CEO Gabe Schlough (Left-Center) and other WAMM volunteers.