Heifer names Robert Bloom, former Vestcom, Acxiom exec, chief financial officer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 6, 2011) – Heifer International today announced Robert Bloom as the hunger-fighting organization's new Chief Financial Officer. Bloom, formerly of Vestcom International and Acxiom Corp., will oversee financial, technology and human resources activities for Heifer International, starting June 16, 2011.

"I am delighted to have Bob join Heifer's leadership team," said Pierre Ferrari, Heifer International's CEO. "His experience in financial reporting and analysis, internal systems, HR, performance analysis and audit are exactly what Heifer needs as we realign and scale up to help more families in more impactful ways.

"I look forward to Bob's leadership and counsel in this critical role."

At Vestcom since 2005, Bloom served as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Prior to Vestcom, which provides shelf-edge communications to the retail industry, he served as chief financial officer, treasurer and financial relations leader of Acxiom Corp., a Little Rock–based data processing and data content provider.

Bloom also has worked for Wilson Sporting Goods Co., River Grove, Ill., as vice president and chief financial officer, Wilson International Division; and with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., in Chicago, as audit manager.

"I am humbled to become a part of the amazing mission of Heifer International," Bloom said. "My passion for service has been fueled by my involvement with Junior Achievement, feeding the homeless with my church, mission trips to Honduras and hosting a Rwandan student at the University of Little Rock. This is a natural next step.

"This has all come together at the perfect time and I look forward to working with Heifer's global team to help transform the organization so that we, with the help of innovative partners, can help even more families lift themselves from hunger and poverty to true sustainability."

Bloom is a certified public accountant and holds a degree in accounting from the University of Illinois. He has also served on the board of Junior Achievement of Arkansas since 1999, acting as chair from 2003 to 2006.

Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currentlyworking in 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.