Former Minister Counselor for Southern Africa, Johnny Brown, has made a career of promoting U.S. business and investment around the world. He was often described within the US International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce as the “Billion Dollar Officer"
He was with the U.S. Department of Commerce for 30 years. Prior to his arrival in Johannesburg in January 2001, he served in several senior management positions for the U.S. Commercial Service throughout Africa and the Middle East.
Amongst his many successes in South Africa, he led procurement efforts for US participation resulting in US$12 billion worth of contracts with ESKOM, the largest utility in Africa
As a tested expert on Africa, Mr. Brown remains committed to the increased trade goals and opportunities between the U.S., South Africa, and its neighbors, the 14 countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
During his tenure in Kuwait, Mr. Brown led his team to reach $9 billion in sales of U.S. goods and services in the Middle East
More recently, he served in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where he successfully promoted two-way trade and investment between theU.S. and the West African region. In 1986, he was appointed Commercial Attaché to Lagos, Nigeria, during a term of unprecedented growth and expansion.
As part of the U.S. Commercial Service on the domestic front, Johnny Brown served as National Director for Field Operations for 48 domestic offices in the United States. He also directed offices in South Carolina and Wisconsin.
As Special Advisor to the US Export Council, Mr. Brown will also be heading up a large delegation of US companies to The CEO Forum which is being held between the 15th-17th March 2009 at Jumeirah Beach Congress Center, Dubai.
The CEO Forum brings together executives from the United States and around the world, to meet key principals in the region to explore and expand business opportunities and access Gulf capital.
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