Description

AMCHAM looks forward to welcoming Ambassador Robert Godec, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, for a fireside chat with AMCHAM President Jeffrey Nygaard on the future of economic diplomacy and how the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework may impact investments in the Kingdom of Thailand.  
 
This will be the first opportunity for many of our members to meet the new U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, to hear his priorities for his work in Thailand and his plans to engage with the business community here.
 
This event will also serve as the Annual General Meeting for the purposes of electing the 2023-2024 AMCHAM Board Governors and a change to the AMCHAM Articles of Association. 

Please note that statements and commentary from this event will be off the record.

About the Speakers:

Robert F. Godec, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand.
Robert F. Godec was confirmed by the Senate as Ambassador to Thailand on August 4, 2022. This is his third ambassadorship; he previously served as Ambassador to Kenya from 2013 to 2019 and Ambassador to Tunisia from 2006 to 2009. Other recent positions include acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Senior Coordinator for Afghanistan in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
Ambassador Godec was also Deputy Commandant and International Affairs Advisor at the National War College, the State Department's Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and Deputy Coordinator for the Transition in Iraq.
In addition to earlier assignments in South Africa and Kenya, Ambassador Godec has served as Assistant Office Director for Thailand and Burma in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Director for Southeast Asian Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Ambassador Godec has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Yale University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. He attended the State Department's Senior Seminar and has received Presidential Meritorious Service Awards, a Distinguished Honor Award, and many other awards and commendations. He is married to Lori G. Magnusson.

Jeffrey Nygaard, AMCHAM President & Executive Vice President of Operations & Technology, Seagate Technology.
Jeff leads the global operations and technology team at Seagate, with over 36,000 people who speak nine languages and live on three continents. He started working at Seagate as an engineer. As he progressed, he has had the opportunity to live and work in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, developing global perspectives, but connecting locally on a personal level.
During his tenure, he has been instrumental in building high-performance teams, integrating a competitor's business, developing strategic alliances, and reorganizing Seagate for the future. Jeff reflects Seagate's philosophy and culture that a responsible business - one that treats people, the environment, and our community with respect - enables better results.
Previously, Jeff has served twice as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and as an honorary AMCHAM board advisor. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on Robotics and Control System Design. He lives in Thailand with his wife and two children.