SINGAPORE: The AmChams of Asia Pacific, the umbrella organization of 27 American Chambers of Commerce that promotes trade and investment between the Asia Pacific region and the United States, elected Steven Okun as Chair.
“AAP serves as the ‘boots on the ground’ for Americans doing business in the region. US government officials look to us to have a fuller understanding of what’s happening and how best to position the US to advance its national interest. As Chair, I will help leverage that opportunity,” said Steven Okun.
The 2022 agenda includes the annual meeting hosted by AmCham Hanoi in May, a door knock to Washington, DC in July and advocacy efforts throughout the year.
Steven Okun is Senior Advisor for McLarty Associates and CEO of APAC Advisors, an ESG consultancy focused on private capital. Living in Singapore since 2003, he led Public Affairs in Asia for both KKR and UPS and served as Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Transportation in the Clinton Administration.
George Drysdale and Shiumei Lin were nominated and approved as Vice Chairs.
George Marsman Drysdale is Chairman and CEO of the Marsman Drysdale Group, a diversified Philippine-based company with interests in agribusiness, tourism, and medical products. He is an investor in the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
Shiumei Lin serves as UPS’ Vice President for Public Affairs & Sustainability in Asia Pacific. She previously served as a Trade Counsellor for Singapore’s Ministry of Trade & Industry and is a board member of Green Freight Asia and President, Conference for Asia Pacific Express Carriers.
AAP’s year-long effort starts with a joint session with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Melissa Brown and US APEC Senior Official Matt Murray, and a second with Ryan Hass, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute and Senior Director for China at the National Security Council under the Obama Administration.