WestExec Advisors, LLC helps business leaders make the best decisions by advising on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities.
Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce John Conger, Lawrence J. Gumbiner, and Nick Zimmerman have joined its distinguished and growing team.
John Conger most recently served as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) at the Department of Defense, where he provided advice to the Secretary of Defense on all budgetary and financial matters. Prior to serving as Deputy Comptroller, John served the Department in several roles, including as Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, and oversaw a vast portfolio that included environmental policy, installations, base closure, energy security, climate change, and management of nearly $1 trillion in real property. John is currently Director of the Center for Climate and Security and Senior U.S. Advisor to the International Military Council on Climate and Security.
“John’s decades of government service aligning energy and environmental policy implementation with our nation’s security have equipped him with a unique perspective on the environment and defense writ large,” said Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec. “He is already providing our clients keen insight into the nexus of climate and security as the two become inextricably intertwined.”
Throughout his 31-year career with the Department of State, Lawrence J. Gumbiner specialized in Latin American affairs, serving as Acting U.S. Ambassador at the Cuban and Honduran U.S. embassies. Prior to his acting ambassadorships, Larry also acquired an expertise in economic, commercial, and environmental policy as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment, and Science and as Senior Fellow for the Americas at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. An accomplished bilingual speaker and expert on Latin American affairs, Larry makes frequent media appearances as a commentator. He is currently the President of Gumbiner Interamerican Strategies, which offers expert analyses about major events affecting the United States and Latin America.
“Having served over 30 years across the Americas and the State Department, Larry has his finger firmly on the pulse of Latin American affairs. His deep knowledge of and experience in Latin American commerce and politics will guide our clients as they conduct business within this critical and dynamic region,” said Nitin Chadda, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec.
An expert on Latin American affairs whose career extends across government agencies, Nick Zimmerman served as Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Director for Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs at the National Security Council, and Country Director for Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru at the Department of Defense. As Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nick provided strategic counsel on topics across the Ambassador’s purview, including the UN’s role in the peace process in Colombia. Working within the White House’s National Security Council staff, Nick prepared the President and Vice President for successful meetings with the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, and for the historic participation of the United States in the 2015 Summit of the Americas in Panama City. Nick has authored, contributed, and been cited in a wide variety of U.S. and Latin American journals. He is currently the Forum Director at Columbia University’s World Projects initiative.
“Nick is an expert on the Western Hemisphere, and brings experience staffing and advising the highest levels of government. He is also an incredible teammate, and WestExec is proud to add Nick to our growing list of talent who can provide tailored support to our clients as they navigate complex issues,” said Sergio Aguirre, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec.
An overview of WestExec’s entire team and services can be found on its website.