About
Welcome to Moldova World Children's Fund!
MWCF is an approved IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered in the state of North Carolina. Form 990 is filed annually and is available at the IRS and NCSOS as public information. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Gifts are tax-deductible. We are managed by a Board of Directors with diverse backgrounds from across the United States and Moldova. Our president and founder, Captain Ray West, spent much of the end of his naval career working as a humanitarian assistance project manager in Moldova and is uniquely qualified in carrying out activities on the ground. Ray makes working trips to Moldova annually…usually multiple visits of 4-6 weeks each. Board Chairman Albert Gooch has also been a regular visitor, and we have a strong team of other volunteers and actively participating partners in Moldova, across western Europe, and in the United States.
Over 20 years of accomplishments
MWCF Timeline
Watch and share our story.
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Facts About Moldova
The eastern European Republic of Moldova is bounded by Ukraine and Romania. Emerging from Romania in the mid 1940’s, it became a Soviet Union vassal state until 1991 when it became independent.
Moldova is an agricultrally-based country, its rolling hills and broad plains topped with rich black soil. During the Soviet era Moldova provided food and fine wines from the fruits of its fields. In turn, the Soviets built roads, schools, housing and office buildings. While there was domination, life was tolerable for those who fell in line. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, goverance vanished along with the jobs. Buildings were vacated or left unfinished, roads deteriorated and the newly independent country was saddled with debt. With no energy-producing natural resourses and negitable access to shipping, Moldova must buy natural gas, coal, gasoline and electricity from close by countries, keeping the country in debt and unable to maintain infrastructure.
Despite these hardships, Moldovans remain a courageously optimistic people, their determination to provide a better life for their children, earning respect and some assistance from the United States, other countries and from humanitarian organizations like Moldova World Children’s Fund.
- Population: 3.9 Million
- Demographics: Moldovan/Romanian 77.9%; Ukrainian 8.3%; Russian 6.0%; Gagauz 4.3%; Other 3.5%
- Capital: Chisinau
- Languages: Romanian (official), Russian, Gaguaz, Ukrainian, English
- Main Religion: Christian, 98%
- Government: Republic. After declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, adopted constitution in 1994.
- GDP: $2,000 per capita
- Workforce: 2 Million people. Agriculture, 35%; Industry, 20%; Other 45%
- Natural Resources: Arable land, Lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
- Agriculture: Vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, walnuts, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, meat, dairy, tobacco
- Industry: Canned foods, agricultural machinery, steel, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, hosiery, refined sugar, textiles, wineries, fresh fruits and vegetables, juice concentrates
Moldova Celebrates Independence Day On August 27th.
distinguished members of the board
Board Of Directors
Membership Expectations / Nomination Criteria
- Have lived or worked in Moldova, or to commit to visiting Moldova by the end of one’s term on the Board.
- Volunteer by personally assisting in the direction, program, promotion, and fundraising efforts of MWCF.
- Make attending Annual Board meetings a high priority.
- Contribute financially at a comfortable and realistic level in order for MWCF to annually report 100% Board of Directors participation.
- Host the Board of Director’s annual business meeting at or near one’s home at least once during membership.
Ray F. West Jr.
President and Founder
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Ray F. West, Jr. is the founder, continuing President, and Chief Operating Officer of Moldova World Children’s Fund, Inc. He holds an Economics/Social Sciences BA from the University of North Carolina-Asheville with undergraduate philosophy studies at Oxford University-England and post graduate work in computer programming at Western Carolina University. Ray was in the U.S. Navy 1968-2002 including active duty in communications security, submarine rescue, and as an in-country South Korea foreign military advisor. He had four Naval Reserve commanding officer tours, one awarded Best Unit Afloat, FY86, on nuclear-capable guided missile destroyer USS William V. Pratt (DDG-44). Captain West is a Surface Warfare Officer, martial artist, and weapons expert. As a civilian, he was Vice President – Kanuga Conferences, 1977-2005, as administrator, business manager, and personnel director. He was elected President of the International Association of Conference Center Administrators, South East. A former U.S. European Command projects manager, he has been engaged in providing humanitarian assistance in Moldova since 1998.
Elaine F. Marshall
North Carolina Secretary of State / Charter Member
Raleigh, North Carolina
Elaine F. Marshall, the first woman elected to a statewide executive branch office in North Carolina, began her initial 4-year term as NC Secretary of State in January 1997. She is a former teacher, small business owner, attorney, and NC Senator. The office helps strengthen NC’s economy by promoting financial capital formation in the state, and more than 2 million businesses have been launched during her tenure. Due to her commitment to international business, she was awarded the International Trade Lifetime Achievement Award from the Charlotte Business Journal and currently co-Chairs the Coalition for Global Competitiveness. She has served as President of the National Association of Secretaries of State and has received numerous state and national awards for innovation and leadership. A founding member of the Moldova World Children’s Fund Board of Directors, Secretary Marshall has been Chair of the North Carolina – Republic of Moldova Partnership since its inception in 1999. In 2024, she was bestowed with the Order of the Republic, Moldova’s highest honor, by Moldova President Maia Sandu.
Albert S. Gooch, Jr.
Chairman / Charter Member
Flat Rock, North Carolina
Albert S. Gooch, Jr. is a graduate of Mississippi College who spent 23 years in Tennessee as a teacher and coach at Sewanee Military Academy and as alumni director and director of admissions at the University of the South. In 1983 he became the 23-year president of Kanuga Conferences where he led a major renovation of the 1,400-acre Episcopal center and its two resident camps while building two significant endowments. In 2005, he formed a fund-raising consulting firm, which as its president, served clients from London, England to the USA west coast state of Oregon. In 1998, Albert helped establish the Moldova World Children’s Fund during its infant stages…then as a charter member became its first Board of Directors Chairman and Chief Development Officer…a volunteer position he continues to hold, having made multiple working trips to the Republic of Moldova. He holds honorary doctorates from the Virginia Episcopal Seminary and The University of the South. Albert served locally as chairman of United Way, president of his Rotary Club and Chairman of the Flat Rock Playhouse, the official state theater of North Carolina.
Michael D. Kirby
Former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova & Serbia
Washington, DC
Michael D. Kirby joined the Board in 2018 following years of working closely with Moldova World Children’s Fund. He was drawn to the MWCF Board by its focus on the neediest people in a country struggling to find its place in the world. Ambassador Kirby received a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania and then studied at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Following three years as a high school teacher, Ambassador Kirby entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1980, twice serving as Ambassador, to Moldova 2006-2008 and Serbia 2012-2016. Between ambassadorial stints, he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA). With a staff of 11,000, CA processes all visas for people to enter the United States, issues all American passports, and serves as well helping Americans abroad. His overseas postings included Seoul, South Korea; Warsaw, Poland; Frankfurt, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Krakow, Poland; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Georgetown, Guyana. His final assignment was as Deputy Transparency Coordinator scrutinizing the State Department’s handling of email.
Asif Chaudhry
Former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova
Pullman, Washington
Asif J. Chaudhry, Senior Advisor to the Provost & Executive Vice President of Washington State University. He is a board member of Moldova’s largest agricultural producer, processor, and exporter: Trans-Oil Group of Companies. Pakistani-American Dr. Chaudhry was U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova 2008-2011, then for three years Foreign Policy Advisor to Chief of U.S. Naval Operations. During his State Department career, he was instrumental in formation of trade agreements with South Korea, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. He served U.S. Embassies as Attache-Warsaw, Counselor for Agricultural Affairs-Moscow, and Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. He was V.P. of the Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. He completed his undergraduate at University of Punjab, Pakistan, Master’s at American University – Beirut, Lebanon, and PhD in ag-economics from Washington State. He speaks English, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi. Asif and wife Charla worked closely with MWCF renovating boarding schools for orphans in Moldova during his ambassadorship in Chisinau.
William "Bill" A. Vogel
Strategy & Economics
Atlanta, Georgia
William A. Vogel is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Investment Counselor originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He received a B.S.B.A in Accounting from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and a Masters of Business from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. He worked at First Union National Bank before becoming a securities analyst and portfolio manager with Wachovia’s Trust Investment Department in Winston-Salem, NC. Bill joined the investment advisory firm of Montag & Caldwell in 1988 and served as the firm’s CEO from 2006-2018. He is now a Principal and Vice Chairman of the Atlanta, Georgia based company which has discretionary assets under management of $800 million. He was a 15-year member of the Board of Visitors of the Fugua School of Business at Duke University. Active in the United Methodist Church, Bill has been Chairman of the Onnie Mae Spruill Foundation for over fifteen years, Board Treasurer of Grant Park Health Clinic and a Board member and head of the Investment Committee of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. He is past Chairman of the Empty Stocking Fund and a 25-year Rotarian.
Victor V. Bubuioc
Media & Culture
Charlotte, North Carolina
Victor V. Bubuioc, originally from the Republic of Moldova and now a U.S. citizen, is the owner/operator of Overtop Media Digital Marketing in Charlotte, North Carolina. His company helps small and medium-sized businesses grow. Victor has a diverse entrepreneurial background, including owning Wingstop restaurant franchises and co-founding Queen City Home Renovation in Charlotte, NC along with a fellow Moldovan from his village. As a youngster, he and his schoolmates benefited from a United States military and Moldova World Children’s Fund renovation of the central heating systems at the two public schools in his hometown of Lapusna, Moldova. Learning English from a Peace Corps Volunteer, he was sponsored by MWCF, the family of Board of Directors’ Chairman Albert Gooch, and other friends to continue his education in North Carolina. He graduated from Christ School in Arden, NC, earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from North Carolina’s Brevard College and an MBA from Western Carolina University. Victor has served on the MWCF Board since 2009.
John N. Maxemchuk
Vice President
Chisinau, Moldova
John N. Maxemchuk has lived in Moldova since 2003, making him the longest full-time resident American in the country. He is a business executive and entrepreneur bringing both professional education and experience to Moldova. John received a B.S. in Finance from The Wharton School, a B.A. in International Relations with focus on Eastern European Economic Transition from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. John was CEO, Sun Communications – Moldova 2003-2016, then COO, Purcari Wineries where he helped lead the first international IPO of a Moldovan company on an international stock exchange. He has helped Moldova in developing its own domestic renewable energy generation and has been a leader in creating private education options in Chisinau. He co-founded the American Chamber of Commerce in Moldova and served as its first president for six years, remaining on the board through 2023. He is a founding member and past chairman of East Europe Foundation Moldova. John has supported the North Carolina – Moldova Partnership since 2004.
Stephen B. Mackler
Professional Exchanges
Greensboro, North Carolina
Stephen B. Mackler, a native of North Carolina, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, then his D.D.S. and M.S. from UNC School of Dentistry. Active military duty followed through 1974, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve. Licensed in NC, Florida, and Virgin Islands, Dr. Mackler’s specialty board certifications include Diplomate, American Boards of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry. Steve’s research interest is Periodontal Disease in Children. Published four times, he has taught at UNC, in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor at UNC and Adjunct Associate Professor, State University, Republic of Moldova. An active international Rotarian, he was chosen Rotarian of the Year 1997, 2005, and 2015 by his Guilford County, NC club. He was selected International Dentist of the Year, Academy of Dentistry International 1999. Steve has been instrumental in initiating and coordinating North Carolina-Moldova partnership exchange programs in geriatrics, plastic surgery, pediatrics, physical medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and general surgery.
James R. Olson
Vice Chairman
Flat Rock, North Carolina
James R. Olson, a native of Chicago, Illinois, grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has resided in Flat Rock, North Carolina since 1985. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Northwestern University in 1974. Jim practiced general dentistry for 11 years in Ft. Lauderdale before moving to North Carolina where he practiced in Hendersonville for almost 29 years until his retirement in 2014. He is active in his church, St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, Flat Rock, NC, having served in many leadership roles. He is currently in charge of maintenance of the Historic Churchyard cemetery. Jim volunteers helping maintain the trails in Pisgah National Forest with the Carolina Mountain Club. He is Secretary of the Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation board of directors. Jim and his wife Kitty have served Moldova World Children’s Fund as active volunteers since 2012. Having traveled in various capacities to over 50 different countries, the Olsons provide a world of international experience to the MWCF team.
Joyce Jolly
Secretary
Hendersonville, NC
S. Joyce Jolly, MSN, Colonel (Retired), United States Army Nurse Corps is a native of North Carolina. After three years as an Army medic and finishing nursing school, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. She received her United States Army officer commission in 1975, and a dual Master’s in Nursing and Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Military assignments included head nurse, medical surgical unit, Combat Support Hospital, Southwest Asia, multiple chief nurse positions in Germany, and as Commander, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Colonel Jolly was awarded the Legion of Merit and is a five-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. She retired from the Army to become a nursing education consultant/faculty member/ planner for Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, North Carolina. A member of the Lions Club, Joyce currently resides in Hendersonville, NC and volunteers for several non-profit organizations, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the Henderson County Hunger Coalition.
Sergio A. Porres
Treasurer
Fairfax Station, Virginia
Sergio A. Porres, native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, moved to the United States in 1984. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and deployed aboard USS Enterprise and USS Abraham Lincoln. From there, he attended San Francisco State University, graduating with a BA in International Relations and receiving an Air Force officer commission. He holds a MA in National Security from Naval Post Graduate School and a MA in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma. Sergio served in the U.S., Africa, and Europe, including three years in Moldova as Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation. There he and his wife Alejandra were instrumental in initiating and helping MWCF direct renovation and expansion of the Guiding Star center for handicapped children in the village of Gratiesti. He has helped manage multibillion dollar defense programs and provide civilian communities with medical, sanitation and education infrastructure. He retired from the military in 2022. Sergio currently works as a foreign affairs specialist…managing international agreements for the U.S. Air Force in Science and Technology.
Bruce Ashe
Financial Development
Hendersonville, North Carolina
C. Bruce Ashe, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, is currently First Vice President-Investments and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Hendersonville, NC. He has been an Advisor since 1994, first with J. C. Bradford of Nashville, Tennessee…afterward upon its acquisition by Paine Webber, and subsequently by Switzerland’s UBS, the largest private bank in the world. Bruce joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2008. Actively involved at First Baptist Church – Hendersonville, NC as a Deacon and currently chairman of the mission’s committee which is a major portion of the church’s annual budget. A 1975 graduate of the University of North Carolina-Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science he spent the first part of his working career in management with K-Mart corporation until he began his career as an Investment Advisor. A member of the Lion’s Club of Hendersonville, NC since 1999, he has served as a board member and as President in the past. Bruce has been an active volunteer for Moldova World Children’s Fund since 2011.
Leslie G. Johnson
Public Relations
New York City, New York
Leslie G. Johnson is a resident of both New York City and Charlotte, North Carolina. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Leslie graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. One highlight of her time in college was being inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame. She moved to New York City and began a career in the fashion industry where she worked for Chris Burch from 1990 – 2005 in product development for private labels. During the years 2005 – 2011, Leslie created and oversaw her own apparel collection which she named Josephine & Laurentina. She presently works as an apparel development consultant and as promotion and development advisor to Moldova World Children’s Fund. Leslie helped develop the J. Christopher Burch Empathy Training facility at New York University Langone Hospital. She is on the boards of the nationwide Partnership to End Addiction and Horizon’s at St. David’s helping underserved boys grades K-9 in Harlem, New York. Leslie follows her father James Gordon and his wife Alice of Fairhope, Alabama on MWCF’s Board of Directors.
Craig Mix
Military Affairs
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Craig M. Mix, a former Blackhawk helicopter pilot, since 2016 the Chief of Military Programs for the U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) in Washington, DC. Colonel Mix transitioned from army active duty in 2022 to government civil service, remaining in the same position at CMH. A North Carolina native, Craig received a B.S. at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and a Masters, with honors, from American Military University in Charles Town, West Virginia. During 2007 – 2010, he was stationed within the Moldova Ministry of Defense in Chisinau as the Moldova-North Carolina country-state Partnership Program’s Bilateral Affairs Officer promoting regional stability. Here he worked closely with Moldova World Children’s Fund on various humanitarian assistance programs. He was with Sprint Corporation as Client Executive Southeast, Federal Accounts, Army/Air Force. From 2014 to 2021, Craig worked at Trimble Navigation as Director, Department of Homeland Security sales. He is the newly appointed Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (JROTC) Senior Army Instructor at South Carolina’s Spartanburg High School.
