USCIB Members Go Above and Beyond
A growing number are taking on the mantle of leadership, helping represent industry in key global forums
USCIB Executive Vice President – Policy and Program
USCIB often describes itself as a member-drive organization. For USCIB staff, that phrase conveys a variety of messages. It means, of course, that our members provide our financial support, and that your concerns and needs determine our policy priorities. But it also means that we have the privilege and pleasure of working directly with you, day in and day out. And it means that we owe a special vote of thanks to many of you for the time and trouble you personally dedicate to achieving our common goals. USCIB could not pursue its mission without you.
A growing number of USCIB members are giving the phrase “sweat equity” a whole new meaning. In addition to leading and participating in innumerable USCIB committee meetings, teleconferences and drafting sessions, they are regularly called upon to play leadership roles in our international affiliate organizations – for example, Charles Heeter
(Deloitte), currently chairman of BIAC. Members serve as officers-ud-736-UD-736 on BIAC and ICC policy committees – e.g., Geoffrey Gamble (Dupont), chair of the BIAC Trade Committee, or Michael Reilly
(Johnson & Johnson), vice chair of the BIAC Taxation Committee, or John Manfredi (Manloy Associates), who chairs the ICC Marketing & Advertising Commission, to name but a few.
Members devote countless hours to the details of international treaty negotiations – witness Ernie Rosenberg (Soap & Detergent Association) in the UN chemicals management talks, or Brian Flannery (ExxonMobil) in the UN climate negotiations. They ensure that the voice of business is heard in vital international forums – Joseph Alhadeff
(Oracle) in the UN Internet Governance Forum, David Benjamin
(Universal Music), in the BASCAP (Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy) initiative, Susan Crowley (Merck) in the World Health Organization.
USCIB members regularly provide our dedicated and talented staff with invaluable information, advice and expertise, on issues as diverse as nanotechnology – Rick Johnson (Arnold & Porter) – and Chinese regulatory policy – Tad Ferris (Holland & Knight) – subjects we could not hope to cover without your help.
In 2007, USCIB staff logged more miles, traveling to more far-flung international negotiations and meetings, than ever before. We expect 2008 to be even busier. Representing your interests in this way is our day job. But we could not do our jobs without the business leadership you exemplify, when you add USCIB citizenship to your own day jobs.
This message has singled out only a small sample of those we would like to recognize. Our appreciation extends to many more. We’re sure you know who you are. Thank you.
Roger Krueger Remembered
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Dr. Roger Krueger of Monsanto, who chaired ICC’s task force on the Convention on Biological Diversity, December 28 following a courageous fight with brain cancer. Dr. Krueger remained characteristically optimistic and continued his longstanding effort to improve the business community’s engagement in and contribution to the CBD throughout his last months. The CBD’s Executive Secretary has indicated his intention to publish a tribute to Roger. To honor his lifetime commitment and work on sustainable agriculture, the Krueger family has asked, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (975 North Watson Road, St Louis, MO 63132).
USCIB Staff News
Josefa Sicard-Mirabal, director for North America with the ICC International Court of Arbitration, was recently named one of the 20 leading Latinas in business by Hispanic Business magazine. Josefa, who is based in USCIB’s New York headquarters, was also presented with the Corporate Leadership Award by the Dominican Women’s Development Center at its October gala dinner in New York. … We are delighted to welcome Jessica Berti to the USCIB team as a program assistant in USCIB’s Policy and Program Department. Jess is a graduate of Boston University and previously worked at the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg.
