ABCK-AmCham Kuwait hosts 2024 Board of Directors elections

• The newly elected board members will join forces with the existing team to advance ABCK-AmCham Kuwait’s strategic vision and operational plans, fostering trade and investment between the US and Kuwait.

The American Business Council – American Chamber of Commerce Kuwait (ABCK-AmCham Kuwait) hosted its Annual Board of Directors Election Night at the Hyatt Regency Al Kout Mall.

The event was attended by AmCham Kuwait members and embassy representatives. The election, conducted in accordance with the association’s bylaws, led to the appointment of new directors who will guide the chamber’s strategy and direction.

Pete Swift, Chairman of the Board, opened the event by thanking the candidates for their interest in joining the board and commending the current Board of Directors for their efforts in maintaining the organization’s active and collaborative nature over the past year. Swift concluded his remarks by introducing the US embassy’s Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Melinda Crowley.

Mr. Jody Mangus, Board Member and Head of ABCK-AmCham Kuwait’s Elections Committee, provided voting instructions and introduced each board candidate. Each candidate then spoke about their potential contributions to ABCK-AmCham Kuwait.

The candidates included: Dr. Arezou Harraf, Founder and CEO at Learn & Evolve, Lama Chalhoub, Country Lead for Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, Tamer El Sallab, Head of GCC & Levant Cluster at Viatris, Ola Saab, Head of Corporate Commercial at Al Tamimi & Company, Doug Hurst, Director for North Africa and the Middle East at Asia Logistics Company, Toufiq M. Jawhara, Executive Chairman Office Manager and Head of Communication & PR at Kuwait & Gulf Link Holding (KGL), Alaeddine Karim, General Manager at Microsoft Kuwait, Simon Khayat, General Manager at TAG Ltd. Catering & Supporting Services, Omar Ben Naji, Managing Partner at Everyware Pro IT Consulting Company, Seneca Cottom, Head of Sustainability at AlShaya Group, Naeem Mirza, Regional Sales Director, Robotics & AI at Artificial Intelligence Doctrine, Micheal Cottom, Managing Director at Cottom General Trading, and Rashed Al Munae, CEO at United Beverage Co.

ABCK-AmCham Kuwait also recognized the event’s sponsors: Platinum sponsors MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme); Gold sponsor Saudi Arabian Chevron; Silver sponsor Crowne Plaza Al-Thuraya City; and Travel and Tourism Partner IFA International Travel and Tourism.

A raffle was held for participants, featuring prizes including eight vouchers from Sultan, two vouchers from Hilton Resorts Kuwait for spa entrance and dinner at Teatro restaurant, three vouchers from Hyatt Regency Al Kout for dinners and one free night, one luxury Michael Kors bag courtesy of Habchi & Chalhoub, two chocolate hampers from Towell Holding, two hampers of Kuwaiti sweets and one box of chocolate from Nagwa Company, four vouchers (two for the club and two for the restaurant) from Argan AlBidaa Hotel and Resort, two soda maker cylinders and 0.5L PET bottles from Gulf Cryo, and the highly anticipated raffle prize of one economy class ticket to any country, including the USA and Canada, from our Chairman’s Club member IFA International Travel and Tourism.

The members cast their votes in the ballot box, then enjoyed a buffet dinner and live entertainment by the Ground Zero band. The election was conducted with fairness, transparency, and democratic principles, ensuring all members had an equal opportunity to participate. The newly elected board members will join forces with the existing team to advance ABCK-AmCham Kuwait’s strategic vision and operational plans, fostering trade and investment between the United States and Kuwait.