WASHINGTON, D.C. - McLarty Associates, Washington, D.C., an international strategic advisory firm, has been approved for membership in the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), the Council’s executive committee announced today on behalf of the entire membership of over 190 companies and organizations who have business operations, investments or other development programs in Ukraine.

McLarty Associates counsels corporations and non-profits on strategic planning, government issues and advocacy, market access, mergers and acquisitions, corporate communication, and political and economic risk issues worldwide. They also assist with high-level commercial and political negotiations.

McLarty Associates has over 60 employees and advisors and has served more than 150 clients in every region of the world. Their clients include some of the best-known global names, generally Fortune 200 companies with substantial global footprints, as well as select emerging companies venturing abroad for the first time.

The professionals at McLarty Associates are former diplomats, trade negotiators, intelligence officers, journalists, and business people. Most of their staff are based in Washington, DC and New York, but their overseas associates can be found in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Philippines, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, and India. Through a collaboration with The Scowcroft Group, they offer enhanced capabilities in China and Latin America.

FINANCIAL MARKETS, FILM & ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & AGRICULTURE

The financial markets practice at McLarty Associates advises leading financial institutions in the United States and Europe. The film and entertainment practice advises major Hollywood studios and filmmakers on internationally-themed media projects. McLarty's food and agriculture practice advises investors, corporations, and non-profits on their overseas work in this vital and complex sector.

AMBASSADOR RICHARD BURT, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Richard Burt serves as managing director at McLarty Associates, where he has led the firm’s work in Europe and Eurasia since 2007. From 1992 to 1995, Ambassador Burt was a partner with McKinsey & Company, the global management consulting firm. Ambassador Burt came to McKinsey after successfully concluding a nuclear arms treaty as the U.S. chief negotiator in the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks with the former Soviet Union.

Prior to this, Ambassador Burt was U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1985 to 1989. Before Ambassador Burt served in Germany, he worked at the State Department as assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs from 1983 to 1985. From 1981 to 1983, Ambassador Burt was the director of politico-military affairs in the Department of State.

From 1977 to 1980, Ambassador Burt worked in Washington as the national security correspondent for The New York Times. From 1973 to 1977, he worked for the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, first as a research associate and then as assistant director. (http://www.maglobal.com/?q=node/94)

ERIC TRACHTENBERG, DIRECTOR, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECTOR
Eric Trachtenberg is currently Director, Agriculture and Food Sector at McLarty Associates. Trachtenberg has more than 20 years’ experience working in and around Eurasia and East Asia. Before joining McLarty in January 2012, he served as Vice President, International Trade Policy, for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

During his time at USAPEEC, he worked on market access issues worldwide, including in the former Soviet Union. Most recently, he met with the Kyrgyz government to examine the effects of the Russian-led Customs Union on Bishkek’s WTO commitments.

Before moving to USAPEEC in 2010, Trachtenberg worked for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) both in Washington and overseas. During his 15-year government career, he served as a Foreign Service Officer in key U.S. export markets, including China, Taiwan and Russia. He also covered Mongolia for the entire three years in Beijing.

From 2007 to 2010, Trachtenberg was posted in Beijing with FAS at the U.S. Embassy. While in China, he served for two years as director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing and for a year as Senior Agricultural Attaché in the Office of Agricultural Affairs. He also supervised $14 million in USDA development programs in Mongolia funded under Food for Progress.

From 2001 to 2005, Trachtenberg was Deputy Chief of the Agricultural Affairs Section at the American Institute in Taiwan, where he focused on resolving biotechnology and rice market access issues.

From 1998-2001 he was assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. During this time, he traveled to more than 30 Russian regions,covered developments in the farm machinery sector, and reported on production and trade changes in Russian agriculture. (http://www.maglobal.com/?q=node/94)

MCLARTY ASSOCIATES AND U.S.-UKRAINE BUSINESS COUNCIL (USUBC)
USUBC's management team have been working with Ambassador Richard Burt, Managing Director, Eric Trachtenberg, Director, Agriculture and Food Sector and Damon Wilson, Senior Advisor. Eric Trachtenberg represents McLarty Associates on the USUBC Board of Directors.

Trachtenberg said McLarty Associates has a strong interest in the region of Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine and believes agriculture and food system development in Ukraine will make major strides forward in the next few years.

"USUBC is very pleased to be working with the top professionals at McLarty Associates and to learn about their special interest in Ukraine," said Morgan Williams, President, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). "USUBC looks forward to working with Ambassador Richard Burt, Eric Trachtenberg, Damon Wilson and their colleagues," Williams stated.

REFERENCE
For additional information about McLarty Associates, Washington, D.C., go to:http://maglobal.com.

TWENTY-ONE NEW USUBC MEMBERS IN 2012

New members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in year 2012 include the following twenty-one companies: Arzinger law firm; Bank Kontrakt; BDO LLC Ukraine; Cub Energy; DuPont Ukraine LLC; Encom Group; EPAM USA PLLC; HPI, LLC; Intel Ukraine; Invenergy LLC; McLarty Associates; NEI (New Energy Innovation); Pioneer Hi-Bred Ukraine LLC; Public-Private Partnership Development Program (P3DP)/ FHI 360; Raven Industries; SC Johnson; Sunrise Agro; TD International; Vanco Prykerchenska Ltd; Willard; and the World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Associations.

USUBC MEMBERSHIP NOW OVER 190
USUBC membership has grown rapidly during the past six years. Membership now stands at over 190. In January 2005 membership was eight; two years later it had grown to 22; in January 2009 it reached 100; and in January of 2011 topped 150. A complete list of USUBC members can be found at: http://www.usubc.org/members.php. For a list of the USUBC board of directors go to: http://www.usubc.org/site/u-s-ukraine-business-council-board-of-directors.