Chairman:
Lars Gert Lose, Ambassador of Denmark to the United States
Lars Gert Lose has a long career within the Danish Foreign Ministry. He started his carrier in 1997 by becoming Head of the EU Coordination Office. Since then, he has possessed a range of high-level positions within the MFA: such as Private Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller (2004-2008); Head of the Foreign Minister’s Office (2008-2011) and, most recently, as Permanent Under-Secretary of State, where he served as Chief Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
Co-chairman:
Steve Williams, Regional Vice President for Continental Europe, Lockheed Martin
Steve Williams is the Regional Vice President for Continental Europe and the Senior Director for Europe, Eurasia and Israel, Lockheed Martin Corporate International Business Development. He is responsible for supporting international business development in 54 European and Eurasian countries.
Directors:
Jay Bonitt, Vice President – U.S. Government Affairs, Maersk Inc.
Jay is responsible for the company’s federal and state government relations. Prior to joining Maersk he was Vice President – Government Relations for Eli Lilly and Company. Before joining Lilly in 1994 he was Executive Director of AlliedSignal (now known as Honeywell).
Joseph T. McAndrew, Vice President for Europe, Israel & Central Asia International Business Development, Boeing
Joseph McAndrew is the Defense, Space & Security (BDS) vice president of International Business Development (IBD) for Europe, Israel & Central Asia. He is responsible for uncovering and developing business opportunities for BDS products and services in more than 50 countries, including two nations in Central Asia.
Leslie McLaren, Manager of Government Affairs & Corporate Communications in North America, Roxul
Leslie McLaren is North American Manger of Government Affairs & Corporate Communications for ROXUL Inc., the North American subsidiary of ROCKWOOL International, the world’s largest producer of stone wool insulation. Leslie is responsible managing community, stakeholder and media relations. Working with relevant industry associations and coalition groups she advocates for energy efficiency and fire safety at all government levels.
Lauren Semeniuk, Associate Director, Federal Government Affairs, Novo Nordisk Inc.
In 2007, Lauren Semeniuk joined Novo Nordisk’s Government Affairs team based in Washington DC. Prior to her current job she worked as a congressional staffer and also in various health care industry settings.
Jeffrey Telep, Partner, King & Spalding
Jeffrey M. Telep is a partner at King & Spalding’s International Trade Group. He joined the firm in 1997 and is resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Telep has over 20 years’ experience litigating high-profile international trade dispute. He handles all aspects of these cases, including administrative proceedings, trials, and appeals. Mr. Telep also advises the firm’s clients on international trade regulatory matters, including Customs and Foreign Trade Zone issues, economic sanctions, and anti-money laundering and asset forfeiture issues.
Nils Greir, Vice President Strategic Marketing & Communications, Terma North America Inc.
Nils Greir joined Terma A/S, a major Denmark-based worldwide defense industry manufacturer and contractor, in 2003. He launched Terma’s business expansion program in the United States. His primary task is strategic business development in North America.
Thomas Færch Brostrøm, General Manager, North America, DONG Energy Wind Power
Thomas Færch Brostrøm has a long career within DONG Energy. He has been appointed the head responsible for the enrolment of DONG Energy in the US market. Since May 2014, Mr. Brostrøm has been Director of Commercial and Market Development activities in the U.K. Before that, he was heading DONG Energy’s Project Development activities in the UK for offshore Wind projects.
Chris Bender, Head of Public Affairs & Communications, Novozymes
Based in Washington, DC, Chris Bender and the Public Affairs/Communications team work to expand understating among policymakers, journalists, and opinion leaders as to how biotechnology can create a better, more sustainable future. Chris leads a team that executes legislative, regulatory and communications work to necessary drive Novozymes business priorities. He coordinates strategy with internal and external partners on a range of issues, from maintaining the critically important Renewable Fuel Standard to promoting groundbreaking BioAg technology. Chris is also responsible for the development of external messaging, turning complex science into compelling stories. Chris works directly with the company’s operations in Europe, Brazil, India and China to align public relations efforts.
Ex Offico Director (non-voting):
Rufus Gifford, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Department of State
Ambassador Gifford presented his credentials to HM Queen Margrethe II on September 13, 2013, thus becoming the 60th representative of the United States to the Kingdom of Denmark. As Ambassador, his mission is to transform a historically great relationship to meet the challenges of the future by engaging Danes on issues that matter.
Executive Secretary:
Mary Paul Smith Jespersen, Senior Advisor and Executive Secretary to ADBC, Embassy of Denmark.
Mary Paul has been with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since February 2008 as a commercial and regulatory expert. Mary Paul has been involved in energy and environmental issues for over 30 years and is now a part of the Trade Council’s energy and environment team. Moreover Mary Paul Jespersen is the Executive Secretary of the American-Danish Business Council.
Treasurer:
Benjamin Walker, Associate at Public Sector & Defense Services, A.T. Kearney
Benjamin Walker is a management consulting associate with AT Kearney Public Sector and Defense Services, Inc and has a strong background in both domestic and international defense procurements.