By Kim Da-ye
President of Boeing Korea Pat Gaines became the new chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM Korea), a U.S. business lobby, Wednesday.
Gaines replaces Frank Little, chief executive of 3M Korea, who will leave his post for a new position at 3M’s headquarters in Minnesota.
Gaines was appointed president of Boeing Korea in April last year after having served as vice president of customer support for Boeing’s commercial aviation services division for the Asia-Pacific region.
He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in aviation assignments as a commissioned officer around the world, including Korea.
“This is a key time for AMCHAM… We are certain that Pat Gaines has the skills and vision needed to continue to skillfully lead AMCHAM as Korea-U.S. economic relations deepen and expand,” AMCHAM President Amy Jackson said a statement.
Former Chairman Little, who had led a delegation to Washington D.C. to promote the early ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, said, “I am excited by the new opportunity, but sad to leave all the wonderful employees… I have truly enjoyed working to further the needs of the American business community in Korea.”