People to People International
May 04, 2018
Merrill Atwater, COO
People to People International

KANSAS CITY, MO— (January 24, 2018) — People to People International (PTPI) announces that Merrill Eisenhower Atwater has been appointed as chief operating officer. Atwater joins the organization after leading the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division. 
 
"We are thrilled to have Mr. Atwater join the People to People family,” says Teresa Loar, Chairwoman of the PTPI Board of Directors. “The depth and breadth of his experience in business, as well as in government, will prove to be an asset that PTPI can capitalize on.”
 
A Kansas native, Atwater is the great-grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
 
“It is impressive to see the 61-year-old organization founded by my great-grandfather be so successful in its global efforts,” Atwater says. “People to People International has spent its entire existence helping hundreds of thousands of people in more than 160 countries throughout the world. I am proud and humbled to be able to help continue the momentum and progress of PTPI.”
 
Atwater believes that PTPI’s purpose of championing peace is even more significant today.
 
“There is much turmoil on the global stage, with negative news and trials and tribulations, regardless of where you live,” Atwater says. “PTPI helps bring a measure of calm and rational thinking in the midst of uncertainty. I believe, as my great-grandfather did, that if you sit two people down who are reasonable and agree to put their differences aside, they can become friends. Frankly, we all need to stop and determine what we can do help someone else, rather than the other way around.”
 
Atwater holds a Bachelor of Science in History and Interpersonal Communications from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
 
For more information, visit www.ptpi.org.