Boeing, Merck, Lockheed executives among new members.
AB Wire
WASHINGTON, D.C: The U.S.-India Business Council announced on Friday the appointment of six new business leaders to its board of directors.
Five of the new members are senior executives and leaders of US-based companies, while the sixth one, Anurag Bhargava, is the chairman of the private equity fund IREO, India’s largest FDI investor in the construction development sector.
The new US-based directors are Marc Allen, president of Boeing International; David M. Cordani, president and CEO, Cigna Corporation; Patrick Dewar, chairman, Lockheed Martin Global; Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and CEO, Merck; and Edward Monser, president and COO, Emerson Electric.
“This group of dynamic and highly accomplished global leaders brings a wealth of knowledge and experience required to steer businesses across complex markets,” USIBC President Dr. Mukesh Aghi, president of USIBC, said in a press release announcing the appointment of new members. “They are joining the Council at a time when India is poised for tremendous growth and will undoubtedly provide valuable leadership to USIBC and its members.”
The trade group’s chairman and president and CEO of MasterCard, Ajay Banga, said the organization remains “committed to advancing” US-India “commercial relationship.” between the United States and India. Our members are encouraged by Government of India’s commitment to economic growth, to attracting the investment needed to achieve that growth, and improving the ease of doing business in India. Our members look forward to contributing to India’s growth story through any number of Government of India initiatives, including Smart Cities and Make in India.”
The new members welcomed the opportunity to be on the board of USIBC, billed as the largest bilateral trade association in the United States.
“We are delighted to be working with the U.S.-India Business Council to further advance the role of innovation in helping India to reach its economic growth goals,” Merck’s Frazier said. “Promoting an innovation-based economy supports not only the growth of the life sciences industry, but also helps to expand health care access for its people.”
Boeing’s Allen added: “As a member of the Board of Directors, I look forward to driving forward the Council’s work in enhancing the bilateral partnership in important areas such as technology, security, and manufacturing.”
“As board members, this dynamic group of CEOs along with existing members will help promote the USIBC policy advocacy priorities across critical areas such as health, defense, designing livable cities, technology, manufacturing and financial services,” said Bhargava, a Wharton alum.