Campaign Statement
I would like to ask for your support in the upcoming AmCham China election. This year I am running for election to the Board of Governors. If elected to the Board of Governors, I will run for a second term as Chairman.
This is an important period in U.S. China relations. Economic ties form the cornerstone of the relationship, with the business community focused on creating jobs and prosperity, an interest common to both countries. It is especially during challenging times that we should continue to champion AmCham’s China’s founding vision, that we are a member-driven organization dedicated to improving the business environment in China and promoting constructive and sustainable U.S. China economic relations. To that end, I strongly believe that it is in the interest of both China and U.S. to implement fair and reciprocal policies which encourage greater market access, deeper investment, and stronger protection of intellectual property. AmCham China, as in decades past, will continue to play an important role in the US-China relationship by communicating the cumulative China experience and wisdom of our members, and by encouraging constructive engagement and improvement in the business environment.
My career has focused on building economic bridges of cooperation between the China and the U.S., creating jobs and prosperity in both countries. I first came to China in 2000, as Director for International Business Development at Alibaba (NYSE: BABA). I have since lived and worked in Beijing continuously for the past 19 years, where I now lead the Developing Markets and China businesses for Vermeer Corporation, a U.S. industrial manufacturer of products used in agricultural mechanization, environmental protection, infrastructure development and precision mining. Over the years, it has been my honor to serve our AmCham community as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and as a member of the Board of Governors. Through these roles, I have been involved in the White Paper, the Business Climate Survey, and the annual Washington DC Doorknock. In 2019, I led AmCham China’s Long-Term Strategy Task Force, and received the Chairman’s Service Award that same year.
I appreciate the support and confidence that the AmCham membership has placed in me in the past. It would be my honor to continue to serve you at this critical juncture in US-China relations, and I hope that you will continue to support AmCham with your ideas and active involvement.
Biography
Colm Rafferty is the Vice President – Developing Markets for Vermeer Corporation and is Chairman of Vermeer China Limited. Vermeer Corporation a leading U.S. industrial manufacturer of products used in agricultural mechanization, environmental protection, infrastructure development and precision mining.
Throughout 2022, Colm has served as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. In prior years, he has served on the Board five times, of which four times were as Vice Chairman. In 2019, he led the Long-Term Strategy Task Force, and received the Chairman’s Service Award that same year.
Colm received an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from Brown University. He is also on the Yale University Asia Development Council and the Yale School of Management’s Greater China Advisory Board.