Richard Sawaya's Email & Phone

Richard Sawaya joined the National Foreign Trade Council as Director of USA*Engage on January 19, 2009. In this role, he oversees the advocacy efforts of the coalition, which was formed in 1997 to promote alternatives to the use of costly and ineffective unilateral U.S. sanctions. Sawaya will also work with the NFTC to press for reform of U.S. visa and entry policies and the export control system. Prior to joining USA*Engage, Sawaya served in a wide range of capacities, from leadership of key U.S. business organizations and associations to teaching and advocacy work in higher education. Sawaya joined Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) in 1979, where he remained until 2000, holding a number of positions, including Senior Speechwriter and Manager of Planning and Corporate Issues at the company's Los Angeles headquarters. He also served as Director of Government & Tax Affairs and Director of International Affairs in ARCO's Washington, D.C. office. Sawaya then founded the U.S.-Venezuela Business Council, focusing on U.S. corporate investment in Venezuela and the promotion of other business community priorities, including the 2001 bilateral tax treaty. Sawaya also served as Special Adviser to the President at the Fund for Peace, Director of Government Relations at the American Turkish Council, and as Special Representative on the Middle East for the Chevron Corporation. Following these posts, Sawaya became Special Adviser to the President of George Washington University, and then Vice President for Government, International and Community Relations. Concurrently, Sawaya was an Associate Professorial Lecturer at the university, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at the Elliott School of International Affairs and the university Honors Program.