THE ASIA GROUP

THE ASIA GROUP WELCOMES AMBASSADOR RICHARD VERMA AS VICE CHAIRMAN WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2017) – The Asia Group announced today that Ambassador Richard Verma has joined the firm as Vice Chairman and Partner. Ambassador Verma brings over two decades of experience at the highest levels of government, business, and diplomacy across the Indo-Pacific region. As the U.S. Ambassador to , he oversaw a dramatic transformation in the bilateral relationship, resulting in historic strategic and commercial achievements. “Rich brings a wealth of expertise and experience to The Asia Group. His distinguished range of service – as Ambassador, senior State Department official, key Senate staffer, legal counsel, and business consultant – brings unique capacities to The Asia Group,” said Dr. Kurt M. Campbell, Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group. He added, “The 21st century will indeed be an Asian century, and Rich will enhance The Asia Group’s ability to better anticipate developments and seize opportunities in Asia.” As Vice Chairman, Ambassador Verma will hold a key leadership position in the firm. He will lead the expansion of The Asia Group’s South Asia practice and enhance the firm’s ability to provide clients with cutting-edge solutions and meaningful insights across the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, Ambassador Verma’s extensive experience will help deepen the firm’s services across key sectors, including energy, manufacturing, defense, transportation, health, and technology. “Rich has an outstanding reputation in business, legal, and foreign policy circles and a demonstrated record of success in Asia. There is no doubt he will further enhance The Asia Group’s ability to provide partner-led solutions and services for the firm’s clients,” said Nirav Patel, President of The Asia Group. Ambassador Verma has previously held senior positions in the private sector, where he was a Partner in a major global law firm, and he also led the South Asia practice of a Washington- based consulting firm. In the public sector, Rich served as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs and as Senior National Security Advisor for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader . Rich is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and he holds a number of honors and awards from the military, the State Department, and non-government organizations. “The Asia Group’s team is innovative, creative, and has a reputation for excellence. I am excited to be playing a leadership role in shaping and growing the firm for the future. I am really pleased to continue working on the critically important trade and economic issues across Asia, and in India in particular,” said Ambassador Verma. The Asia Group: The Asia Group (“TAG”) is a leading strategy and business advisory firm to corporations and organizations with business interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The Asia Group helps clients identify, integrate, and advance new business opportunities in Asia, and works with businesses to navigate the complexities of both established and emerging Asian markets. The Asia Group represents a diverse client base in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, from leading Fortune 500 multi-national corporations to cutting-edge early-stage companies. The Asia Group’s partners and associates collectively bring to bear decades of relevant on-the-ground experience and knowledge – spanning multiple generations of politicians, business and civil society leaders, and decision makers on both sides of the Pacific. For interviews, contact Molly Jones at [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE JULY 19, 2017

WORKSHOP BRIEFING PACKET THE ASIA GROUP THE ASIA GROUP

AMBASSADOR RICHARD VERMA Vice Chairman and Partner Ambassador Richard Verma is Vice Chairman and Partner at The Asia Group, where he is leading the firm’s growth in South Asia. He previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017, where he is credited for the historic deepening of bilateral ties. A leading expert on trade and diplomacy in Asia, Ambassador Verma brings 25 years of experience across senior levels of business, law, diplomacy, and the military. Nominated as U.S. Ambassador to India by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the Senate, Ambassador Verma oversaw one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world, including four consulates with staff from nearly every agency in the U.S. Government. During his tenure, he championed historic progress in U.S.-India relations, with critical evolutions to bilateral cooperation in defense, trade, and clean energy. The Ambassador also oversaw an unprecedented nine meetings between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi – leading to over 100 new initiatives and more than 40 government-to- government dialogues. Ambassador Verma was previously the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, where he led the State Department’s efforts on Capitol Hill. He worked as Senior National Security Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader and also spent time in the House of Representatives. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. The Ambassador also brings to bear a distinguished career in the private sector. He was a partner in a major global law firm for many years, and he also led the South Asia practice of a Washington-based consulting firm, where he helped clients navigate international trade and public policy frameworks across the Indo-Pacific region. He was also a National Security Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and served as a member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Commission led by former Senators Graham and Talent. He is a co- author of their landmark report, “World at Risk.” In addition to his role at The Asia Group, Ambassador Verma is a Centennial Fellow at ’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where he supports the India Initiative – a signature program to advance research and teaching on India. The Ambassador also co-chairs the Center for American Progress’ U.S.-India Task Force, which is charting an actionable bilateral agenda to deepen U.S.-India ties. Ambassador Verma is the recipient of the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award, the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship, and was ranked by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential . Ambassador Verma holds degrees from the Georgetown University Law Center (LLM), ’s Washington College of Law (JD), and Lehigh University (BS).

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