Iraq Reconstruction Task Force

On May 20, 2003, APCO Worldwide announced the establishment of its Iraq Reconstruction Task Force:

"APCO Creates Iraq Reconstruction Task Force", Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2003) -- An Iraq Reconstruction Task Force, to help existing and potential clients navigate the complicated bureaucratic terrain of contracts and subcontracts from the United States government to rebuild Iraq, was named today by APCO Worldwide, announced Margery Kraus, president and CEO of APCO.

Given the expertise of APCO consultants in Middle East affairs and with the key U.S. government agencies involved in the contracting process, including the [U.S.] Agency for International Development (AID) and the Defense Department, APCO is well positioned to help identify contract opportunities, navigate the complex award process both in Washington and in Baghdad, and position clients with major contracting parties and the U.S. government's key appointees in Baghdad.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Marc Ginsberg, who has extensive public and private sector contract experience in the Middle East, is coordinating APCO's team. He is currently a senior vice president of APCO and heads its affiliate company Northstar Equity Group, which provides strategic business advice to U.S. and foreign companies operating throughout the Middle East.

As the U.S. government's special coordinator for Middle East and Mediterranean trade and economic policy, he coordinated new U.S. trade and investment initiatives in the Middle East starting with the U.S. government's North Africa trade and commercial initiative. Ambassador Ginsberg also served as deputy senior advisor to President James Earl Carter, Jr. on Middle East policy. He is a recognized expert on Middle East trade and commercial affairs, and is a Middle East analyst for Fox News Channel.

Joining him on the task force are:

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 * Former Sen. Don Riegle, is former chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. He is an expert in finance and banking, trade and international relations, and maintains close ties with current members of the House and Senate.
 * Former Administrator Jane Garvey, led the Federal Aviation Administration during a five-year term and held a number of other senior positions in both state and federal government including acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and director of Boston's Logan International Airport. She is a recognized leader in the transportation industry.
 * Former Cong. Steve/Stephen Solarz, served for 18 years on the U.S. House of Representatives International Affairs Committee. He is an expert in Middle East affairs having authored the Congressional Resolution to use force in the first Gulf War. After leaving Congress, he co-founded and has maintained the "Committee for Peace and Security in the Gulf" with Richard N. Perle, an advisor to President George Walker Bush.
 * Charles Krause, APCO senior vice president of global services and former Washington Post, CBS News, and PBS NewsHour foreign affairs correspondent. Emmy award winner in 1997 for his coverage of the Middle East.
 * Richard V. Allen, APCO senior counselor, is former national security advisor to President Ronald Reagan, and is widely experienced in international affairs, national security matters and international business. He is an expert in international affairs and has long-standing relations with key leaders in the Bush Administration and the U.S. Congress.
 * Brad Staples, chairman of APCO Europe, has 13 years experience helping international corporations seize business opportunities in complex multicultural and intergovernmental environments.
 * Simon Whitehead, former UK-based investment banker with experience financing projects in Iraq and Russia.

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * Post-war Iraq