Former U.S.-Russia Business Council President Joins APCO
Eugene Lawson Deepens Firm’s Expertise in Russia
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2008) – Eugene Lawson, former president and founder of the U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC), joins APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council (IAC), President and CEO Margery Kraus announced today.
“We are delighted to welcome Gene to the IAC,” said Kraus. “His deep understanding of the increasingly influential Russian market will allow this group of experts to expand on its ability to offer our clients strategic counsel in today’s global economy.”
In addition to his work with the USRBC, one of the most powerful business organizations bridging the two countries, Lawson is also the founder of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. He served as the vice chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and as deputy under secretary of labor for international affairs and concurrently as U.S. ambassador to the International Labour Organization. Additionally, he served at the U.S. Department of Commerce as deputy assistant secretary of commerce for East Asia and the Pacific and as deputy assistant secretary of commerce for East-West trade. In July 2007, he received the Order of Friendship from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
“I’ve seen APCO form successful partnerships with Russian businesses – and with international organizations investing in Russia – since the firm opened their Moscow office in 1989,” said Lawson. “I look forward to working with this dynamic team to develop strategies and solutions for APCO’s clients in Russia and around the globe.”
Lawson joins a distinguished set of emerging-market experts on the IAC, including Arthur Hartman, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union; Beth Jones, former assistant secretary of state and former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan; Igor Kostikov, Russia’s former federal government minister; Lalit Mansingh, former Indian ambassador to the United States and the United Arab Emirates and former Indian high commissioner to the UK and Nigeria; and Gao Weijie, former chairman of China Ocean Shipping Company America and chairman of the China operation of Lloyd’s Register Asia.
APCO continues to expand its investment in developing markets around the world. In China, Kenneth Jarrett and Alastair Campbell both join APCO as vice chairmen of the greater China region, and Sharon Ruwart joins APCO as managing director of APCO’s Beijing office. Jarrett is a former U.S. consul general in Shanghai; Campbell served as executive director and head of corporate finance at the Bank of China International; and Ruwart is a former managing director for Elsevier Science & Technology, China.
About APCO Worldwide
Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. APCO offers services related to business and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.
About the International Advisory Council
APCO’s International Advisory Council is a dynamic group of former senior members of government, the media, the diplomatic corps, academia, the business community and nonprofit organizations who work hand-in-hand with APCO’s professionals to counsel clients on a broad range of issues.
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Contacts:
Elizabeth Wolf
+1.202.778.1470
ewolf@apcoworldwide.com