Richard McCormick completes successful term as head of international business organization
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| Richard D. McCormick - travelled more than a quarter of a million miles to encourage business solutions to world problems |
Paris, 11 December 2002 - United States businessman Richard D. McCormick will complete a successful two-year term as Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce on 31 December.
Mr McCormick travelled an estimated 291,000 miles (the equivalent of nearly 12 trips around the globe) and visited 29 countries on all five continents as ICC Chairman. He will serve as one of three members of the ICC Chairmanship for a further two years.
With more than 8,000 member companies in 140 countries, the Paris-based ICC is the largest, most representative private sector organization in the world.
President George Bush praised Mr McCormick's leadership in promoting international trade and investment, adding that "by expanding trade throughout the world, we can create better jobs for our citizens, build stronger bonds with our neighbours and contribute to a world that is more peaceful and prosperous for us all."
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan praised Mr McCormick's involvement in international business efforts to encourage sustainable development.
Dean O'Hare, Chairman and CEO of the Chubb Corp., and Chairman of the United States Council for International Business, called Mr McCormick "the business community's ambassador-at-large."
In May 2002, Mr McCormick brought the world to his hometown of Denver, as nearly 1,000 delegates and participants from 71 countries gathered for the World Congress of ICC - the first such meeting in the US in 25 years. Denver business and political leaders praised Mr McCormick for putting the city on the global stage and thereby enhancing its international status.
A key outcome of the Congress was the development and adoption under Mr McCormick's guidance of the "Denver Declaration," which set forth the future goals of ICC.
Among other things, the declaration pledged that the business people of ICC would invest their "resources, energies and spirit of cooperation to help governments and peoples everywhere on their journey toward economic hope and stability."
Under Mr McCormick's leadership, ICC:
· strengthened business's voice and participation in the recent G-8 Summit;
· led business support in Doha, Qatar, for the launch of a new round of negotiations to liberalize world trade;
· led the business contribution to the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico, and to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa;
· encouraged companies to work with governments in least developed countries, particularly in Africa;
· oversaw the expansion of ICC services, includi
ng arbitration and helping streamline customs procedures;
· Added nine new ICC national committees.
Mr McCormick, who said he was privileged to serve as ICC Chairman, underscored the organization's determination to find avenues of cooperation between business and governments to promote communication and trade. "We believe the exchange of ideas, capital, products and services is good for people locally and for friendships globally."
Mr McCormick is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U S WEST, Inc., one of the seven regional Bell companies created upon the divestiture of AT&T. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in 1986 and President and CEO in 1990. He added the title Chairman in 1992. He retired in 1998 as CEO and in 1999 as Chairman.
An Electrical Engineering graduate of Iowa State University, Mr McCormick joined AT&T in 1960 as an engineer. After eight years at AT&T, he transferred to Northwestern Bell, where he moved through a series of jobs before being named President of the Omaha-based company in 1982.
Under Mr McCormick's leadership, U S WEST was one of the first Bells to become involved in international activities. Eventually,
U S WEST had interests in cable-tv, wireless communications, directory services and other telecommunications-related projects in 20 countries.
He and his wife Mary Pat have been active in community affairs in both Denver and Omaha. Mr McCormick is a board member of United Airlines, United Technologies, Wells Fargo and Co., and HealthTrio, Inc. He is a board member of Creighton University in Omaha, a trustee of the Denver Art Museum and a member of the Business Council.
Mr McCormick was named Vice-President of ICC in January 1999. He also served as Chairman of the United States Council for International Business, ICC's US affiliate. He is currently a Vice-Chairman of USCIB.
Jean-Rene Fortou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the international entertainment conglomerate, Vivendi Universal, will succeed McCormick as ICC Chairman.
Mr McCormick said he plans to remain active in international business matters in his continuing role with ICC and USCIB. "I'll also keep busy with my board responsibilities and other business and community activities. I really look forward to spending a little more time with my family, particularly my five grandchildren."
Established in 1919, ICC was granted consultative status by the United Nations shortly after the U.N.'s establishment. Founders of ICC called themselves "Merchants of Peace."