U.S. Chamber Names Lionel C. Johnson Vice President of Middle East Affairs

Expanded Efforts in Region Ensures U.S. Businesses Can Compete

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced that Lionel C. Johnson, has been named Vice President of Middle East Affairs. The addition of Johnson comes as the Chamber continues expanding efforts in the region to ensure that U.S. businesses have the representation and information needed to compete effectively. In his new role, Johnson will manage the Chamber’s overall engagement in the Middle East and North Africa and maintain relationships with American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) in the region.

“Lionel has nearly three decades worth of experience working in diplomacy, international business, public policy, and economic development,” said Myron Brilliant, senior vice president for International Affairs at the Chamber. “He is a tremendous asset to the Chamber organization as it continues to focus on business opportunities in the Middle East.”

Johnson comes to the Chamber from Fleishman-Hillard where he served as senior vice president of Public Affairs from 2009 to 2010. In his capacities, Johnson advised Fortune 500 corporate clients, trade associations, and foreign governments. He also represented clients before senior executive and legislative branch officials, regulatory agencies, and multilateral institutions in the United States and in markets abroad.

Before arriving at Fleishman, Johnson was vice president and director of International Government Affairs at Citigroup from 1996 to 2007. He also served as deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury Department for International Development, Debt, and Environment Policy in the Clinton Administration.

Johnson began his career as a member of the U.S. Foreign Service, serving from 1982 to 1990 as a political officer in Kenya; executive secretariat staff officer; assistant to the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines; vice consul in Haiti; and special assistant to Secretary of State George P. Shultz and Secretary of State James A. Baker III. He received his B.A. in political science from Rutgers University in 1982.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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