American Council on Germany Elects New President

14 East 60th Street, Suite 1000 New York, NY 10022 Phone: 212‐826‐3636  Fax: 212‐758‐3445 www.acgusa.org  [email protected] For immediate release: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Contact: Michele Ruehs Steinbuch 212‐836‐3636 [email protected] American Council on Germany Elects New President New York, NY – The American Council on Germany, a leading forum promoting transatlantic dialogue, announced the election of Dr. Steven E. Sokol as its next President. Sokol was elected today during the ACG’s Board meeting preceding the Annual Meeting of its members. "It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we welcome Steve Sokol back to the Council. I have had the opportunity to work with Steve at the Council , the German Marshall Fund, and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. He performed superbly in his roles at each of these organizations, and I am confident he will bring that same combination of leadership, creativity, and energy to the important work of the Council at this critical juncture in German‐American relations,” said Ambassador Robert M. Kimmitt, Chairman of the ACG’s Board of Directors. Sokol has a long history with the ACG, having previously spent eight years as its Vice President and Director of Programs, developing and implementing a range of programs and activities on a myriad of pressing international issues relevant in the U.S. and Germany, as well as in broader international circles. He left the organization in 2010 to assume his current role as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to working across generations to educate and inform residents throughout western Pennsylvania about global issues – and their relevance locally, nationally, and internationally. “Steve Sokol has had long and close connections with both Germany and the American Council. These ties will help Steve give new direction to his leadership of the Council in the years ahead,” said Dr. Richard M. Hunt, ACG Vice Chairman, former University Marshal of Harvard University and former ACG President. Sokol will assume the role in June 2015 and will work closely with the ACG’s Board of Directors, staff, Warburg Chapter leaders, and members to ensure the organization remains a key conduit in facilitating relations between the United States and Germany, and that its programs and activities remain relevant and advance the interests of ACG members for the future. “As someone who has spent almost half his life in Europe and much of his professional career dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding about global issues, I have a profound appreciation and respect for the work of the ACG since it was founded in 1952. I look forward to returning to the ACG and to strengthening and deepening ties across the Atlantic,” said Sokol about his appointment. He added that “this is a crucial time for the German‐American and U.S.‐European relationship. We cannot afford to take each other for granted based on common values and history alone, and need to devote time and energy to reinforcing our ties in the complex interconnected world that exists today.” Throughout his career, Sokol has demonstrated deep personal and professional commitment to the transatlantic relationship. He has held leadership roles with the Aspen Institute Berlin, the Bonn International Center for Conversion, and in the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. “Steve’s commitment to German‐American relations has been demonstrated throughout his career, and his program development, thought leadership, and member engagement experience at the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh have further prepared Steve for the important task of leading the ACG to continued success,” said William R. Harman, longtime Board Member, Treasurer and ACG Acting President. “Over the last several months I have had the opportunity to work with our outstanding and dedicated staff, and I know they are thrilled to welcome Steve back to the ACG.” Sokol holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University, where he was a dual major in the College of Social Studies and German Language and Literature. He studied at the Ruprecht‐Karls‐Universität in Heidelberg and as a Fulbright Scholar at the Freie Universität Berlin. He earned his Master of Arts in International Relations and International Economics at The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, and received a Doctorate in Law and Policy at Northeastern University. # # # About the American Council on Germany: Based in New York City, the ACG is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes dialogue among leaders from business, government, and the media in the United States and Europe. The Council's programming is aimed at reaching a broad range of individuals in an effort to improve the German‐American and U.S.‐
European partnership. This is achieved through a combination of events designed to reach different audiences. Among the Council’s established projects are its Young Leader programs; policy discussions on transatlantic issues in New York City and at the 19 Eric M. Warburg Chapters across the United States; Fellowships for young German and American professionals; and Study Tours that give Americans a close‐up look at the German political and economic landscape.