Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the leading U.S. business association focused on U.S.-Africa trade and investment, announced today that Florizelle (Florie) Liser, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, will be the Council's next President and CEO. Ms. Liser was appointed unanimously by the CCA Board of Directors following an international search. Her appointment is effective January 23, 2017.
"We are thrilled that Florie Liser is the next President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa," said Dr. Jeffrey L. Sturchio, Board Chair of CCA and President & CEO of Rabin Martin, "She has unmatched experience in U.S.-Africa trade and investment policy, deep knowledge of Africa and an unparalleled network of relationships with leaders across sub- Saharan Africa including heads of state, ministers and other key stakeholders, in the U.S. Government, multilateral organizations, the business community, and civil society. These strengths and her vision make Florie the perfect person to lead CCA into the future, building on the strong foundations laid by Stephen Hayes and the team."
Ms. Liser succeeds Stephen Hayes as the third President and CEO of CCA. Florie brings her expertise and extensive network on trade and Africa to her new role, along with a strong track record of working with the private sector to translate policy into action. She will also be the first woman to lead the Council since its founding in 1993. "21st century Africa presents enormous opportunities for businesses looking to take advantage of growing markets across the continent," said Ms. Liser. "In my new leadership role at CCA, I look forward to building on CCA's great work to date, and I'm committed to working with U.S. and African businesses and other stakeholders to grow opportunities and strengthen commercial relationships across Africa."
Ms. Liser will join CCA from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she has been Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa since 2003. In that role, she has led trade and investment policy towards 49 sub-Saharan African nations and oversaw implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Prior to this role, Florie served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Industry, Market Access, and Telecommunications from 2000-2003. She has also served as Senior Trade Policy Advisor in the Office of International Transportation and Trade at the Department of Transportation from 1987-2000; worked as a Director in USTR's Office of GATT Affairs, and also served as an Associate Fellow at the Overseas Development Council (ODC) from 1975-1980.
The current President of the Corporate Council on Africa, Stephen Hayes, said, "I am honored to be succeeded by such a person as Florie. It is difficult to imagine a more qualified person for this position, or one who has collaborated more closely with our three primary constituencies: the private sector, the U.S. Government and Africa itself. She understands the Corporate Council on Africa and has enormous empathy for Africa. She now has the opportunity to lead the private sector to greater engagement with the continent and help open America to African investment in this country. Her success will be America's success."
About Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)
Corporate Council on Africa is the leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests between the United States and Africa. Established in 1993 to promote business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa, the Corporate Council on Africa serves as a neutral, trusted intermediary connecting its member firms with the essential government and business leaders they need to do business and succeed in Africa. Learn more at www.corporatecouncilonafrica.com
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