WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America & the Caribbean (AACCLA) today elected Thomas Kenna, president and director general of the Panama Canal Railway Company, as chairman of its Governing Board. Kenna, a member of the board since 2011, will serve a one-year term as chairman.
“Tom has been a tremendous asset to our board and the growth of our institution,” said Jodi Bond, vice president of the Americas at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “But as we quickly approach our half-century mark, there is certainly more work for him to do. We know that he will pour as much energy, passion, and hard work into advancing AACCLA’s policy priorities as he has to making Panama the hub of the Americas.”
Kenna, who has been with the Panama Canal Railway Company—a joint venture between Kansas City Southern & Mi-Jack Products—for 15 years, has been an important part of the company’s success over the last decade.
As chairman, Kenna plans to use this platform to push for continued growth in the AACCLA network, including the creation and integration of new American Chambers of Commerce. He also plans on driving real progress on a range of policy issues that are important to the success of all U.S. businesses operating abroad, including stronger trade, increased integration, and greater adherence to the rule of law.
“I look forward to working with the network of 24 American Chambers of Commerce to champion free trade, free markets, and free enterprise,” Kenna said. “Together we can make real and lasting change in this hemisphere that will help build a prosperous future in the years and decades ahead.”
For over a century, the American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) have been the most influential voice of U.S. business in Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, AACCLA and its 24 member AmChams represent more than 20,000 companies and over 80 percent of U.S. investment in the region. Acting in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—the world’s largest business federation—AACCLA has become the premier advocate for U.S. business in the Americas.
Visit www.aaccla.org for more information.
International trade and investment are key components of the Chamber’s 2015 American Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda, an ambitious plan to help revitalize the American economy, create jobs, spur growth, and lift incomes
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.