Asia Program of Work 2012 - 2013

A Review of 2012

Dear Asia Sponsors:

As 2012 draws to a close, we want to reflect on what we have achieved and acknowledge the great support we received. It was a year of opportunity, of accomplishment, and, as always, a few challenges. Thank you for responding to our requests for advice, for attending our hectic schedule of programs, and especially for giving us your financial support.

Bolstering Staff to Deliver Services, Insights, and Access

Chief among the highlights for us this year were the additions we made to our staff. We expanded our Southeast Asia Team by hiring John Goyer as senior director for Southeast Asia. John joined us at the beginning of the year and brings a long career of trade and regional expertise from his previous positions at the Coalition of Service Industries and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. Goyer has already expanded the Southeast Asia portfolio by launching a new Australia Working Group, hosting the first Indonesia Commercial Dialogue, and creating a new Myanmar Advocacy Circle.

Also, I was delighted to promote Jeremie Waterman this year to executive director and senior policy advisor for Asia. Jeremie takes on this portfolio in addition to his role as head of the Chamber’s Greater China program. His new responsibility focuses on making sure that the Chamber is effectively positioned across a range of policy platforms in Asia, including APEC and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). In doing this, Jeremie has also sought to improve our work on cross-cutting and emerging issues in the region, such as the role of state-owned enterprises, forced localization policies, intellectual property, competition, and innovation.

In June, we officially welcomed the U.S.–Japan Business Council into the Chamber, with Jim Fatheree as president and Sonna Russo as program manager. We have long had a close relationship with Jim and the council, and we are delighted to bring our resources together to find new ways to promote our agenda with Japan. As part of this transition, Jim has also taken over the role of senior director for Japan and Korea, overseeing the U.S.-Korea Business Council’s continued efforts toward successful implementation of the free trade agreement. This year we also welcomed leadership changes on two of the business councils. Bill Rhodes, senior advisor, Citi, was honored for his tremendous seven years of service to the U.S.-Korea Business Council and was elevated to chairman emeritus. We were delighted that Dr. Paul Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm, has stepped into the role and will lead the council into a new chapter of work and continued success.

Additionally, the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council welcomed a new chairman, Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy and Mather. This change coincided with the 10th anniversary of the council, a milestone made possible by the enduring dedication and vision of the council’s executive director, Espie Jelalian.