Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.) Named President & CEO of US-ASEAN Business Council

(Washington, D.C.) The Board of Directors of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) announced the appointment of U.S. Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.) as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2026.

“Over the course of his diplomatic career, Brian has earned the respect and trust of business and government leaders across ASEAN and Washington alike — across administrations, across party lines. He has built a distinct and credible voice on U.S.-ASEAN affairs, and we are confident that he is the right leader at the right time," said Jeffrey Perlman, Chairman of the USABC Board and CEO of Warburg Pincus.

“McFeeters’ combination of diplomatic achievement, regional expertise, and exemplary leadership give the Board confidence in his ability to bring this crucial organization to the next level of impact during an unprecedented time of geopolitical churn,” said Derek Wilkinson, Partner and Co-Head Global Not-for Profit Practice, Odgers, who led the search process.

“This is one of the most challenging times for U.S. business since ASEAN was formed 58 years ago. Complexity is being generated by U.S.-China relations and other dynamics. The voice of the private sector has never been more important in that context. Brian has a nuanced understanding of the region, and he knows how to navigate Washington as well,” said Ernie Bower, former President & CEO of USABC, CEO of BowerGroupAsia, Inc., and a member of the USABC board.

“In his new role, McFeeters will lead USABC's next growth chapter — working to remove barriers to trade and investment across ASEAN, elevating the U.S.-ASEAN economic relationship, and ensuring that USABC remains an indispensable partner to business and government leaders on both sides of the Pacific,” said Marc Mealy, USABC Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer.

Ambassador McFeeters (ret.) spent half of his 32-year Foreign Service career in Asia, capped by his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia (2021–2023). He previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Deputy Chief of Mission in both Iraq and Indonesia, and held key posts at the U.S. Missions to the EU in Brussels and the US Mission to the OECD in Paris — a career defined by advancing American business and economic interests at every level.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to help navigate mutually beneficial trading and investment relationships between the U.S. business community and one of the world’s most important economic blocs in partnership with USABC’s nearly 200 member companies,” said Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.).