For Immediate Release: October 5, 2010
Contact: Tim Truman (202) 482-3809
Under Secretary SÁnchez Announces Members of U.S.-Turkey Business Council
WASHINGTON – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez today announced the U.S. private sector participants of the U.S.-Turkey Business Council (Council). The inaugural meeting of the Council will be held later this year.
The Council, made up of senior-level executives from the United States and Turkey, will meet at least once a year to provide policy recommendations to both governments jointly on ways to strengthen bilateral economic relations. The U.S. members serve two-year terms, and were selected from respondents to a Federal Register Notice for applicants to the U.S. section.
U.S. Section
- Charles “Rick” Johnston, Senior VP of International Government Affairs (Citigroup) – Chair
- Heather Pederson, Senior Director of International Operations & Policy (Boeing)
- Paul Olean, Director of Marketing (Dymo/Mimio)
- Duden Yegenoglu, Vice President (Elle in Le Kazan International)
- Jeffrey Kemprecos, Executive Director of Public Policy & Corporate Responsibility (Merck)
- Roland Wolfram, Global VP of Sales (Nike)
- Stephen Estill, VP for Strategic Partnerships (Sikorsky)
- Michael Harrell, Country Manager (UPS)
“The United States and Turkey enjoy a growing commercial relationship. This Council provides a great opportunity for our two nations to define and discuss issues that can enhance bilateral commercial relations,” Sánchez said. “Turkey is an important market for U.S. goods and services, and can play a key role in helping us achieve President Obama’s goal of doubling exports in the next five years.”
The Council facilitates the exchange of information and encourages bilateral discussions of business and economic issues that impact both the United States and Turkey.
In 2009, trade between Turkey and the United States amounted to nearly $11 billion. For the first seven months of 2010, bilateral trade is up more than 35 percent from the same period last year.
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