Global Political Strategies (GPS), an executive service of APCO Worldwide, brings together an international team of experienced diplomats, policy advisors and business people to provide some of the world’s most dynamic organizations with the strategic insight and forward-looking counsel they need to properly understand what’s next in their world.

Carlos Gutierrez is a distinguished business expert who served as U.S. secretary of commerce between 2005 and 2009. He oversaw a diverse Cabinet agency with 38,000 employees and a $6.5 billion budget focused on promoting American business domestically and overseas.

As commerce secretary, Mr. Gutierrez played a key role in the passage of CAFTA-DR, a landmark trade agreement that expanded opportunities for U.S. exports throughout Latin America. He also served as co-chair of the U.S. Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba and was actively involved in U.S.–Cuba policy.

Prior to his role with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mr. Gutierrez served as chairman of the board and CEO of Kellogg Company. After joining the company in 1975 as a sales representative and management trainee, Mr. Gutierrez managed product development in Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Canada, Australia and Asia before being named president and CEO. His “Volume to Value” strategy, which focused on growing sales by shifting resources to higher-margin products, revolutionized the company’s operations.

Mr. Gutierrez is a scholar at the University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies and currently serves on the boards of directors for United Technologies Corporation, Occidental Petroleum and GLW Corning. He is a national trustee to the University of Miami’s board of trustees and a member of the board of trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Participation in CEPS Lunchtime meetings is a benefit of membership. Non-members may be admitted for €50 paid in cash at registration. A sandwich lunch (€6) will be served before the meeting, from 12.30 onwards.

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