ACCJ Executive Director Samuel Kidder Announces Retirement After More than 8 Years with Chamber

Jul 28, 2014 15:00 JST

Source: The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ)

Selection Team Kicks Off Search for Next Head

TOKYO, Jul 28, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Executive Director Samuel Kidder today announced that he will retire from the ACCJ at the end of 2014. Kidder will leave the ACCJ after eight and a half years of service.

"The ACCJ Board of Governors and members are deeply grateful for Sam's contributions over the years," said ACCJ President Jay Ponazecki. "Sam's commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan economic relationship was evident in his every action, and his ability to provide sound leadership in good times and times of crisis was an asset to the organization, especially as the Board sought to navigate the particularly turbulent environment of the past five years."

Kidder was appointed ACCJ Executive Director in 2006 after a distinguished career with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, during which he served as Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, among other posts. Kidder was Executive Director for six ACCJ presidents and helped the Chamber maintain its solid financial foundation, even in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. In 2014, the number of ACCJ Corporate Sustaining Memberships reached a record-high of 62 and the organization continues on a growth path.

The ACCJ expanded its advocacy during Kidder's tenure through landmark thought pieces including the 2009 Internet Economy White Paper, the 2010 Growth Strategy White Paper, and White Papers in the healthcare and financial services sectors. Under Kidder's leadership, the ACCJ welcomed as guest speakers two sitting Prime Ministers and engaged dozens of U.S. and Japanese Cabinet members and hundreds of thought leaders on economic and policy issues affecting the U.S. and Japan.

ACCJ President Emeritus Michael Alfant (ACCJ President, 2011-2012) commented, "The Great East Japan Earthquake was the defining event of Sam's tenure. He handled the situation with great skill and composure. At a time when reliable information was in short supply, Sam stepped forward and became the primary conduit for information between authorities and the American business community in Japan, for which we are all grateful."

Ponazecki will head a selection team tasked with identifying the Chamber's next executive director to serve as the administrative officer in charge of day-to-day Chamber affairs, supervise Chamber employees, attend to internal and external Chamber activities and assist the Board in policy formation and execution. The application deadline for those wishing to be considered for this position is September 19, 2014. For more information on the ACCJ and the search process, or to submit an application, please contact Sam Kidder at skidder@accj.or.jp or +81-3-3224-3250.

About ACCJ

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) was established in 1948 by representatives of 40 American companies and has grown into one of the most influential business organizations in Japan. Consisting mainly of executives from American companies, currently the ACCJ has members representing 1,000 companies with offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Working closely with the governments of the United States and Japan, business organizations, and others, the ACCJ promotes activities that help achieve its mission of further developing commerce between the United States and Japan, promoting the interests of U.S. companies and members, and improving the international business environment in Japan. The ACCJ's more than 60 committees represent a variety of industries and make policy recommendations through advocacy tools such as viewpoints, public comments and white papers. The ACCJ holds approximately 500 events and seminars a year, many of which focus on government policy and economic trends. The ACCJ is also committed to promoting charitable events and CSR activities. www.accj.or.jp/en

Press Contact:
ACCJ External Affairs
phone: +81 3 3433 7358
email: external@accj.or.jp

Source: The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ)
Sectors: Daily News