U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce explained

United States – Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC)
Type:	Advocacy group
Founded Date:	1995
Founder:	James Baker III
Location:	Washington D.C.
Key People:	T. Don Stacy (Chairman Emeritus), James A. Baker, IV (Co-Chair) and Reza Vaziri (Co-Chair)
Area Served:	United States
Focus:	Business advocacy
Method:	Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns political lobbying
Homepage:	U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Official Website

The United States – Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) is a not-for-profit lobbying group aiming to develop long-term business ties between the firms in the United States and Azerbaijan and attract US investment to Azerbaijan.^{[1] [2]}

Mission

The mission of the USACC is to facilitate and encourage investment and trade between US and Azerbaijan; provide a medium for interaction for NGOs, business firms and think tanks from these countries; assist and promote commercial objectives of businesses investing in Azerbaijan; promote Azerbaijan's potential; sponsor educational programs, trade missions, seminars, conferences and publications; enhance understanding between the two nations by establishing and developing cultural links.In September 2000, USACC founded Azerbaijan Trade and Cultural Center (ATCC) to stimulate intercultural ties between United States and Azerbaijan.^[3]

Many businesses, including ones from Fortune 500 Companies are members of USACC. USACC has been the driving force behind world's longest oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, operational today.The chamber actively promoted commercial links in agriculture, construction, information technology, alternative energy and tourism.

Leadership

The chamber is chaired by T. Don Stacy, co-chaired by James A. Baker, IV (Baker Botts, LLP) and Reza Vaziri (R.V. Investment Group).

Honorary Council of Advisors include former secretary of state James Baker III, former National Security Advisor to U.S. President Zbigniew Brzezinski, former secretary of state and assistant to U.S. president on national security affairs Henry Kissinger, former assistant to U.S. president on National Security Affairs Brent Scowcroft, former chief of staff to the U.S. president, John Sununu.

Board of directors

• Shapoor Ansari, MD,^[4]
• Halim Ates, CEO, Telia Sonera^[5]
• Farhad Azima, chairman and CEO, Aviation Leasing Group^[6]
• Scott Blacklin, Vice President, Cisco Systems^[7]
• Betty Blair, Editor, Azerbaijan International^[8]
• Jahangir Hajiyev, chairman, International Bank of Azerbaijan^[9]
• Albert Marchetti, Vice President, Hess Corporation^[10]
• Greg Saunders, Director, International Affairs, BP^[11]
• Diana L. Sedney, Manager, International Government Relations, Chevron^[12]
• Michael White, Azerbaijan Country Manager, ExxonMobil^[13]
• Gregory K. Williams, Strategic Security Manager, Coca-Cola Bottling Co.^[14]
• Ali Agan, CEO, Azercell Telekom^[15]
• Ian M. Davis, Vice President, Occidental Petroleum Corporation^[16]
• Robert Moran, Vice President, Halliburton^[17]

Former directors include former Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney and former Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage.

External links

• USACC Official Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Resource Directory . . April 22, 2010.
2. Web site: USACC. About the organization . April 22, 2010.
3. Web site: Cultural Center : About ATCC . April 22, 2010.
4. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Shapoor Ansari.
5. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Halim Ates.
6. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Farhad Azima.
7. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Scott Blacklin.
8. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Betty Blair.
9. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Jahangir Hajiyev.
10. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Albert Marchetti.
11. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Greg Sanders.
12. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Diana L. Sedney.
13. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Michael White.
14. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Gregory K. Williams.
15. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Ali Agan.
16. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Ian M. Davis.
17. Web site: Board of Directors, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce: Robert Moran.