Japan Society of Northern California Appoints C. Lawrence Greenwood Jr. as new President
Veteran Diplomat And Senior Executive Brings 40 Years Of Asia Experience To Lead Prominent Bay Area Organization
San Francisco, CA, March 17, 2016 – The Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) announced today the appointment of C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr. as its President to lead its mission to promote strong ties between Northern California and Japan.
The JSNC advances U.S.-Japan collaboration and understanding in a global context through offering an array of programs and networking opportunities for people and organizations with a strong interest in Japan. A critical JSNC theme is to connect Japan with the Silicon Valley and San Francisco ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Mr. Greenwood joins the Japan Society following a long career that spanned both public and private sectors. His 30-year diplomatic career in the State Department included assignments in the US Embassy in Tokyo, as US Ambassador to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group, and as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State dealing with finance and development. Following his work in government, he went on to serve as Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, where he oversaw a tripling of lending of the bank to build infrastructure and alleviate poverty throughout Asia. Most recently, Greenwood worked in Tokyo managing government relations in Asia for MetLife, America’s largest life insurer. Mr. Greenwood has lived four times in Japan for a total of 14 years and speaks and reads Japanese.
“We are delighted that Ambassador Greenwood will lead the important work of the Japan Society of Northern California,” says JSNC Chairman of the Board, David Makman. “He brings a depth of knowledge of Japan and Asia and contacts spanning Asia as well as the policy community in Washington DC that will bolster the Society’s reputation as the go-to forum for US-Japan relations in the Bay Area. His private sector experience also ensures that the Society is positioned optimally to meet the ongoing needs of our members, including our corporate members that are an important pillar of our institution. I am impressed by the depth of his knowledge about the US-Japan
Japan Society Of Northern California Appoints New President relationship, the global context of that relationship, and the important players in the public policy field.”
“I am excited about this opportunity to contribute to the ongoing relationship between the US and Japan that has been such an important part of my professional and personal life over the past 40 years,” says Mr. Greenwood. “The ties between our two countries have never been more important as Japan emerges confidently from two decades of economic stagnation and political uncertainty. Japan is a huge market for Bay Area companies and I hope our diverse programs can reinforce an appreciation of the importance of this relationship as well as showcase to the Bay Area the endlessly fascinating wonder of modern Japan.”
About the Japan Society of Northern California:
The Japan Society is a dynamic link between the world-renowned innovation hub of Northern California and a resurgent Japan. The Society enables its members to keep connected to, and increase connections in, the Northern California-Japan nexus.The Society offers unique programs that draw on the diversity of our region, its importance and an e xemplar of innovation and economic growth, and our historic ties to Japan, across fields including business, technology, and the arts, via speaker events, symposia and conferences, social events, school education programs and language lessons.
Members receive uncommon opportunities for interface and collaboration with industry, academic, and government leaders shaping the Japan – U.S. relationship and the world at large. Through participating in the Society, members find unique opportunities for networking, enrichment and engagement. For more information about the Japan Society and how to become a member, please visit: https://www.usajapan.org.
