Carlos Gutierrez, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and current co-chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, was recently named the first chairman of the board of directors for the U.S.-Cuba Business Council (USCBC).
“This is a historic opportunity to press for a new bilateral relationship, and the board’s choice of Secretary Gutierrez as chairman signals its willingness to bring the full force of the private sector to the tasks ahead,” USCBC President Jodi Hanson Bond said.
An affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the USCBC will work to build economic relationships between Cuba and the U.S.
Newly elected vice chairs for the council include: Mike Fernandez, chairman and CEO of MBF Healthcare Partners; Frank del RiO, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line; Candace Matthews, president of the Americas at Amway; and Tom Nides, vice chairman of Morgan Stanley.
Rodrigo Malmierca, Cuba’s minister of Foreign Trade & Investment, is set to meet with the council on Tuesday.
“Minister Malmierca’s upcoming visit, together with the U.S. regulatory changes announced a few weeks ago, create unparalleled opportunities for the United States and Cuba, particularly in the areas of travel and small business growth,” Gutierrez said. “Through our improving relationships and partnerships, we will continue our work to ensure our members are able to effectively engage in the Cuban market, while fostering strong bilateral ties between our two governments.”
