Ambassador Hertell: Economic Cooperation is Equal to Prosperity for All

23 January 2002

Ambassador Hertell: Economic Cooperation is Equal to Prosperity for All

SANTO DOMINGO – “As United States Ambassador to this country, I promise, together with my excellent team from the Embassy, to support the government of the Dominican Republic, and the Dominican and United States private sector, as you build the healthy and dynamic society which is being formed here in the Dominican Republic.” This was the message that the United States Ambassador, Hans H. Hertell, delivered in his speech at the luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, January 23.

The Ambassador pointed out that he expects to work with Dominicans “to promote free trade and democracy, to ensure the freedom and prosperity for both of our peoples.”

“In my 25 years of professional career as lawyer, banker, and businessman, I have learned one key principle: what is good for a healthy and dynamic society is good for business,” he added.

Ambassador Hertell congratulated the Dominican government and the private sector for their vision in negotiating free-trade agreements with CARICOM and Central America. Ambassador Hertell reported on the technical cooperation of the Embassy with the Secretariat of Foreign Relations, to draft a national strategy in preparation for the negotiations of the Free-Trade Agreement of the Americas (ALCA). This assistance will include training, advisement services, and impact studies.

Ambassador Hertell also explained the Embassy´s efforts to assist Dominican agricultural producers in exporting chicken to the United States, as well as tropical fruits and coffee.

Ambassador Hertell offered to work with Dominicans to attract more investments from the United States. He pointed out, nevertheless, that investors “go where they feel safe, and United States investors look for a level playing field, an open bidding process, and an independent and professional judicial system which will protect and defend contractual rights.”

In conclusion, the Ambassador pointed out that it would be a pleasure to assist with all efforts in the creation of “even greater levels of economic cooperation between our two countries.”

Ambassador Hans H. Hertell presented his credentials to President Hipólito Mejía on November 29, 2000. A lawyer by profession, Ambassador Hans H. Hertell has more than 20 years experience in the areas of government legislation, public affairs, and banking and corporate regulations. He has also stood out as a businessman, banker, and leader of the United States Republican Party.

As a lawyer, he was a founding partner of the third largest law firm in Puerto Rico, Goldman, Antonetti, Ferrainoli, Axtmayer & Hertell, and between 1992 and 1996, he was Director General for the Caribbean and Latin America of Black, Kelly, Scrugs and Healey, a public and governmental affairs firm based in Washington, D.C..

He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Puerto Rico Law School. In 1989 he was a member of the Review Commission for the Designations of Magistrates of the United States Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Between the years of 1982 and 1984 Ambassador Hertell was Legal and Political Counsellor of the Governor, the Attorney General, Secretary for Agriculture, and Secretary of Finance fo the Associated Free State of Puerto Rico.

As a successful businessman, Ambassador Hertell was President of the American Builders Corporation, a construction company in Puerto Rico, as well as President of a joint venture between American Builders and Beers Construction Company, a member of the Skanska Group of Sweden, one of the largest construction consortiums in the world.

He was also a member of the Board of Directors of OCASO, an Insurance Office in Puerto Rico, subsidiary of one of the largest insurance firms in Spain, and a member of the Board of Directors of Interstate Waste Technologies, Inc., a company dedicated to the development of municipal solid wastes projects in the United States, the Virgin Islands, St. Maartens, Colombia, the Philippines, Chile, China, Kauai (Hawaii), and Thailand, among others. He was one of the three members of the Board of Directors of the company which operates the thoroughbred race track of El Comandante, an entity managed by the Government of Puerto Rico.

In the banking sector he was Executive President of the Banco de Ponce (NYSE), one of the largest corporations in the Caribbean region, with more than US$1.3 billions in assets. Between 1989 and 1991 he was Dirctor of the Federal Home Lona Bank of New York.

Ambassador Hertell was recognized for his leadership from an early age. In 1986 he participated as delegate in the conference of the American Center for International Leaders, held in Moscow. He also functioned as President of the Puerto Rican Chapter of the National Young Republicans Association.

For many years he has been an active member of the Republican Party. In 1988 he was a member of the National Committee which managed the successful campaign of then presidential candidate, and former president of the United States, George Bush.

He also participated in the National Finance Committee for Future Funds of America and Alternate Delegate in the Republican National Convention in the years 1988, 1992, and 1996.

In the year 1999 then Governor of Texas George W. Bush designated Ambassador Hertell as co-president of the George W. Bush Path to the Presidency Exploratory Committee in Puerto Rico.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the new Chief of the United States diplomatic mission in this country attended Fordham University, in New York City, and graduated with a Doctorate in Law from the University of Puerto Rico.

He is married to Mrs. Marie Hertell, and has three daughters, Marie-Alexandra, Hans, and Hermann.