The Business Council For International Understanding Appoints The Honorable Charles A. Ford As Ambassador-In-Residence To Expand Its Global Reach

NEW YORK, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a non-profit U.S. business association dedicated to forging relationships and promoting dialogue between business and government communities across the globe, today announced the appointment of former U.S. Ambassador Charles A. ("Chuck") Ford as the organization's first-ever Ambassador-in-Residence.  In his new position, Ambassador Ford will be based in Washington, D.C. and will advise BCIU's board and management on its strategic global positioning.

"We have wanted to bring Chuck into this important role at BCIU from the time he left government," said Peter Tichansky, President and CEO, BCIU.  "Chuck's credibility and mix of professional experiences will further fuel BCIU's global perspective and influence as we celebrate our 60th anniversary."  Tichansky added, "Just as importantly, Chuck has been an extraordinary and influential advocate leading the promotion of U.S. commercial interests during his four Embassy assignments in the Americas, plus as Advisor for Private Sector Engagement to the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, and as well in three posts in Europe, including to the U.S. Mission to the European Union.  On a personal level, we love Chuck's optimism and his belief in American global business leadership, and we look forward to employing his unique expertise in policy reform, planning, executive leadership, relations with Congress, and the inter-relationship between security and economic prosperity."

Established at President Eisenhower's initiative in 1955, BCIU is a premier business association whose membership includes 200 of the world's leading corporations in all major industries. The organization is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

"Many of us who have held senior positions in Government have great respect for BCIU and value its contribution to improving U.S. Embassy effectiveness in advocating for American firms," said Ambassador Ford. "Throughout my career, BCIU has stood out among other partners for its reliability, professionalism and no-nonsense approach and I'm excited for this unprecedented opportunity to take BCIU to the next level as its first Ambassador-in-Residence,"

ABOUT BCIU: Established at President Eisenhower's initiative on November 10, 1955, the Business Council for International Understanding is a premier business association based in New York and Washington whose membership includes 200 of the world's leading corporations in all major industries. BCIU promotes international understanding through dialogue and action by organizing briefings and off-the-record discussions between senior government officials and key business executives on issues of common concern, by facilitating public-private partnerships in the global marketplace, and by assisting stakeholders with problem-solving in turbulent markets and situations. BCIU provides an ongoing venue for its member companies to interact with heads of state, chiefs of government, cabinet ministers, and senior officials of multilateral and international organizations. BCIU supports commercial diplomacy and corporate social responsibility in the international arena by facilitating roundtables and programs related to investment promotion, public diplomacy, corporate governance, and branding. On request, BCIU provides due diligence, referral, and qualifier services.

ABOUT AMBASSADOR FORD: The Honorable Charles ("Chuck") A. Ford, former U.S. Ambassador to Honduras, is one of the most recognized business diplomats in the United States.  Chuck is best known to the private sector as an indefatigable advocate of export expansion and leveling the playing field for American businesses operating abroad.  He has been a counselor to leading companies in all major industry sectors including energy, defense, IT/telecommunications, life sciences, and financial services.  He is widely recognized for his skillful management of the 80-country network of U.S. commercial attaches where he led far-reaching policy, budget and operational reform.  Ambassador Ford served in U.S. Missions in London, Brussels/EU, Tegucigalpa, Caracas, Barcelona and Buenos Aires.  He held senior policy positions related to Latin America and Russia and the Newly Independent States at the Commerce Department in Washington.  Prior to entering government service, he was an analyst at the Inter-American Development Bank, an international representative at the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, and an executive at Hobart Manufacturing Co. based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He did his undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary and received an M.A. in Latin American Area Studies from George Washington University.  He was born in Dayton, Ohio, speaks Spanish, and is married with two children.

SOURCE Business Council for International Understanding

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