|
|
Mission & History
Mission
IESC’s mission, "Promoting stability and prosperity through private enterprise development," emerged from and was inspired by David Rockefeller and Sol M. Linowitz’ vision more than 40 years ago. Our commitment to this mission has remained unwavering. We continue to focus on improving the lives of people throughout the world by strengthening private enterprise, and we look to the future with continued vitality, optimism, and confidence.
History
A Brief History: In the Beginning
The seed that became IESC was planted in 1963 by David Rockefeller in his opening address to an international federation of management associations. Rockefeller, then president of the Chase Manhattan Bank, recalls, “In my talk, I noted the changes that had marked the development of managerial practice in the preceding 25 years, and I outlined the major challenges I believed business would be facing in the quarter century to follow. I then made a proposal for action, suggesting that private companies in the industrialized nations volunteer to send members of their management to work in developing areas.” A study team was formed, co-chaired by Rockefeller and Sol M. Linowitz, then chairman of Xerox Corp.
At about the same time, Senator Vance Hartke, Democrat from Indiana, noted a "crying need" for business know-how abroad, and he urged the United States to form a volunteer group of businessmen patterned after the Peace Corps. Momentum began to build. President Lyndon Johnson told Congress that the United States should make use of private initiative to promote economic development abroad. “Accordingly," LBJ said, "we are encouraging establishment of an 'Executive Service Corps' which will provide American businessmen an opportunity to furnish, on request, technical and managerial advice to businessmen in developing countries."
The Rockefeller-Linowitz study team created and circulated a charter for the International Executive Service Corps. On June 15, 1964, President Johnson announced its formation at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.
The Early Steps
Frank Pace, former Secretary of the Army, who had also been Director of the Budget and Chief Executive of General Dynamics , was named IESC's president. Mr. Rockefeller was designated chairman, and Mr. Linowitz became chairman of the executive committee.
Our first projects were initiated in January 1965. The first client, recruited by Mr. Rockefeller, was Juan Amado, Jr., owner of the Amado Engineering Company in Panama. Howard Rose, our first volunteer, was assigned to apply his experience in cost control procurement, plant operations and marketing.
Rapid Growth
Over the next several years, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and with support from others, IESC set up an extensive network of offices overseas. Throughout our history, we have enjoyed an enviable continuity of leadership. Frank Pace served as our president for 18 years. He was succeeded by Tom Carroll, former chief executive officer of Lever Brothers, who served for 11 years. Hobart C. Gardiner, a former Exxon executive, became president in 1993 and served until 2003.
Strategic Change and Renewal
Spencer T. King became president and CEO in 2003. A former international trade executive, Spencer joined us in 1992 and has been Chief of Party of three of IESC largest overseas programs. Relocating our headquarters office to Washington, DC, in November 2003, Mr. King embarked on a new strategic vision that places high priority on honing our leadership capabilities, enhancing our talent pool, recharging our business development process, and establishing a new solution-centered business model.
Results Achieved
Since 1964, we’ve managed 25,000 expert interventions and multi-faceted development programs, created more than one million new jobs, donated a half a billion dollars in services to clients and facilitated more than $3 billion in purchases of U.S. goods and services by overseas clients.
IESC MILESTONES
|
1964
|
IESC founded
|
| |
|
|
1965
|
First volunteer assignment in Panama
|
| |
|
|
1965-1986
|
More than 10,000 volunteer technical assistance assignments were completed around the world
|
| |
|
|
1985
|
Joint Venture Feasibility Fund: First trade development “program combining volunteers with U.S Staff.
|
| |
|
|
1991
|
First multi-task development programs:
- Morocco: Trade & Investment Services program, first major multi-task program
- Sri Lanka: Technology Initiative for the private sector
- Europe: Multiple Business Services in the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe
- Egypt: Business Development Services
|
| |
|
|
1995
|
The most volunteer assignments completed in one year: 1256
|
| |
|
|
1996-1997
|
First program alliance with other volunteer organizations
- Ukraine Alliance
- Bulgaria, FLAG Coalition
|
| |
|
|
1998
|
Jordan U.S Business Partnership (JUSBP): First Middle East “Fast Track Trade” activity
|
| |
|
|
2001-2001
|
First major tourism development activities launched:
- Egypt: Center for Business Support
- Zambia: Copperbelt Linkages
|
| |
|
|
2001
|
Acquired the Geekcorps, Information Communication Technology practice established
|
| |
|
|
2002
|
First Worldwide program launched under BDSII: Global Trade and Technology Network (GTN)
First Strategic partnership subcontracts signed with commercial firms:
- Macedonia: Booz Allen Hamilton
- Central Asia: The Pragma Corporation
First major privately funded program:
- Ukraine: The Gillette Company
|
| |
|
|
2003
|
IESC headquarters moved to Washington: New strategic direction announced.
Participating member of four Presidential Initiatives under Volunteers for Prosperity
First Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funded program:
- Morocco Fast Track Trade Project
First Geekcorps Community Radio Project in Mali
|
| |
|
|
2004
|
24,000 volunteer Expert projects completed
First health sector program in Africa: Zambia BizAIDS
Founding member of the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA)
First award under VEGA won: Bulgaria Business and Trade Development program
HP-funded worldwide IT training program launched by Geekcorps
|
| |
|
|
2005
|
Financial Services practice established
Georgia SME project: First Financial Services sector award
Major award to expand BizAIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
|
|
| |
|
|
|
2006
|
IESC Geekcorps award in Lebanon: Access to Markets through Information Technology (AIM-IT)
BizAID in Papua New Guinea: funded by AusAID
|
|