Press Release:

Keith Krach Accepts Post as Chairman of the US-Taiwan Business Council

(Arlington, Virginia, July 1, 2024)

The US-Taiwan Business Council is pleased to announce that Keith Krach has accepted the position as Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Krach replaces Michael R. Splinter in the post.

Chairman Keith Krach

We are excited to welcome Mr. Krach to a formal role with the Council. He brings his extensive experience and comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, and business relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan to the role of Council Chairman.

In announcing this appointment, Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said, “Keith’s transformational leadership in technology diplomacy, extensive record of multi-sector accomplishments, and commitment to robust U.S.-Taiwan relations make him a perfect fit as the Council’s Chairman, bringing his widely respected expertise to engagement with Taiwan’s political and business leadership.”

“I am honored to serve as the US-Taiwan Business Council Chairman and take on the critical task of elevating our bilateral economic cooperation to new heights,” said Chairman Krach. “A strong, resilient, and prosperous Taiwan is an indispensable friend and partner of the United States. Strengthening our business ties is crucial to safeguarding freedom everywhere.”

Mr. Krach is currently also serving as the Chairman of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, and Co-Chairman of the nonpartisan Global Tech Security Commission – both dedicated to ensuring technology advances freedom. Prior to leaving government, he was Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, where he served as the U.S.’ top economic diplomat. In this role, he built the Clean Network Alliance of Democracies, bolstered U.S.-Taiwan ties as the highest-ranking State Department official to visit the island in 41 years, engineered the historic onshoring of TSMC to the United States, and architected the US$280 billion CHIPS and Science Act, helping to secure the world’s semiconductor supply chain.

In January 2024, Mr. Krach led the annual Chairman’s delegation of the US-Taiwan Business Council to Taiwan. Arriving shortly after Taiwan’s elections, the group of senior executives from many of America’s and Taiwan’s prominent companies expressed support for Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. In his previous visit to Taiwan, he launched the Krach Institute’s Taiwan Center for Innovation and Prosperity, bestowed the Institute’s Tech Freedom Award to former President Tsai Ing-wen, and enhanced bilateral business ties.

Mr. Krach served as DocuSign Chairman and CEO for 10 years and as Ariba co-founder, Chairman, and CEO. He was Chairman of Purdue’s Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board at Angie’s List, founder of the Global Mentor Network, and the youngest-ever Vice President of GM. Mr. Krach holds a B.S. and Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue, and an MBA from Harvard.

Previous US-Taiwan Business Council Chairmen include Michael R. Splinter, Paul D. Wolfowitz, William E. Brock, William S. Cohen, Frank C. Carlucci, William P. Clark, Dan Tellep, Caspar Weinberger, and David Kennedy.

About the US-Taiwan Business Council:

The US-Taiwan Business Council (www.us-taiwan.org) is a membership-based non-profit association, founded in 1976 to foster trade and business relations between the United States and Taiwan. The Council provides its members with business intelligence, offers access to an extensive network of relationships, and serves as a vital and effective representative in dealing with business, trade, and investment matters.