WASHINGTON (AP) - A company that was created to help clients take advantage of business opportunities in Iraq is made up of businessmen associated to President Bush, his family and his administration.
New Bridge Strategies, on its Web site, says it will "seek to expedite the creation of free and fair markets and new economic growth in Iraq, consistent with the policies of the Bush administration."
The firm is headed by
Joe Allbaugh, Bush's campaign manager in 2000 and
director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until March. Other directors include Edward Rogers Jr., vice chairman, and Lanny Griffith. Both were assistants to the first President Bush and now are closely linked to the White House.
New Bridge President John Howland said in a story on The New York Times' Web site that the company did not intend to seek any U.S. government contracts itself, but might be a middleman to advise other companies that seek taxpayer-financed business. The main focus would be to advise companies that seek opportunities in the private sector in Iraq, including licenses to market products there.
The company's existence was first reported in The Hill.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1107/9-29-2003/20030929203006_05.htmlWeb Site:
http://www.newbridgestrategies.com"The opportunities evolving in Iraq today are of such an unprecedented nature and scope that no other existing firm has the necessary skills and experience to be effective both in Washington, D.C. and on the ground in Iraq."
"Although New Bridge Strategies is a new company, the principals of our company are seasoned veterans in dealing with foreign countries and commerce. A listing of people who make New Bridge Strategies your bridge to success in Iraq is below."
Joe M. Allbaugh, Chairman and Director
Joe M. Allbaugh is the CEO of The Allbaugh Company, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based corporate strategy and counsel firm. A native of Oklahoma, Joe served as the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under President George Bush until March 2003. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was Chief of Staff to then-Governor Bush of Texas and was the National Campaign Manager for the Bush-Cheney 2000 presidential campaign.
Ed Rogers, Vice Chairman and Director
Ed Rogers is Vice Chairman of Barbour Griffith & Rogers, Inc., the firm he founded with Haley Barbour in 1991. From January of 1989 until August of 1991, Ed served as the Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Executive Assistant to the White House Chief of Staff. Additionally, Ed was the Senior Deputy to Bush-Quayle Campaign Manager Lee Atwater, from February of 1987, through the general election in 1988. Ed also worked in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Reagan Administration.
John Howland, President, CEO and Director
Prior to becoming President of New Bridge Strategies, John Howland was Executive Vice President of Crest Investment Company, of which he is a Principal. He has worked with Middle Eastern governments and companies, including Iraq (prior to 1989), for over twenty-five years in many areas including food distribution, transportation and oil and gas. John knows the politics of the Middle East and is very knowledgeable about Iraq and its future potential. During the years encompassing the Iran-Iraq war, he worked closely with the U.S. Government, providing food aid and logistical support to the Iraqi government.
Ambassador Richard Burt, Director
Richard Burt currently serves as the Chairman of Diligence, LLC and previously was a partner with McKinsey & Company from 1991-1994. Additionally, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1985 to 1989. His appointment to Bonn followed service in several key positions at the State Department, including Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs from 1983 to 1985 and Director of Politico-Military Affairs from 1981 to 1983. Ambassador Burt also serves as the International Director for Barbour Griffith & Rogers, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government relations firm.
Jamal Daniel, Director
Jamal Daniel is a Principal with Crest Investment Company, which invests in a wide-range of business ventures and is based in Houston. Prior to his work with Crest Investment, Jamal was a Director of the Uniteg Investment Company, Inc., providing U.S. and international investors with comprehensive real estate services ranging from acquisition and construction to financing and sales. Additionally, Jamal has extensive experience in structuring investing in energy and oil and gas projects throughout the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.
Lanny Griffith, Director
Lanny Griffith is Chief Operating Officer at Barbour Griffith & Rogers, Inc. and joined the firm as partner in 1993. Previously, Lanny served former President George Bush as Assistant Secretary of Education for Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs from November 1991 until January 1993. Lanny also served in the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and was the Southern Political Director for the 1988 Bush-Quayle presidential campaign.
Lord Charles Powell, Director
Lord Powell is a cross-bench Member of the House of Lords and for several years served as Private Secretary on defense and foreign affairs for both Prime Ministers John Major and Lady Margaret Thatcher. Since 1992, Lord Powell has been an international businessman, sits on the boards of the Textron Corporation, Caterpillar, Inc., and Louis-Vuitton Moet-Hennessy (LVMH) and is a trustee of the British Museum.
L. Leigh Gribble, Managing Director, Kuwait
Prior to joining New Bridge Strategies, Leigh Gribble founded and managed Blackthorne Rhino, Ltd., a firm dedicated to providing technical consulting, liaison, and management services to multinational companies pursuing business opportunities in the defense, industrial, financial, and commercial sectors in the Middle East with emphasis on the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council Region. Leigh is a retired naval officer with over a decade of military, diplomatic, and commercial experience in the Middle East providing advice and support to key decision makers in the military, government, business and industry on wide variety of issues, topics and projects. Leigh currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the American Business Council of the Gulf Countries, and is a past-President of the American Business Council of Kuwait.
Ali Khan, Managing Director, Europe
Ali Khan has close to ten years experience in investment banking activities working with internationally renowned banks, and privately-owned asset management companies. This has included equity sales, sales trading, corporate finance and private equity. Ali has a successful track record in developing a network and business opportunities in China, the ASEAN region, Southern Africa, Europe, Middle-East and the US. Ali completed his MBA in International Management from Exeter University.
Mike BakerMike Baker is the Chief Executive Officer and a founder of Diligence, LLC, a widely recognized corporate intelligence, strategic planning and corporate consulting firm with offices in Washington, D.C., London and Miami.
I may be naive, but this looks dirty as hell.
Recognize any of these names? Check out the bios.
Three are from Haley Barbour's gang.
What is 'Crest Investment Ventures'?
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