Conference on Amelia Island, Florida. Relationship building The organization cultivates an extensive network of contacts and relationships within the U.S. and Taiwan governments, as well as within the private sector and among non-government organizations with an interest in Taiwan. Both the United States Congress and the Executive Branch frequently call upon the organization to express its views on the US-Taiwan business relationship. Organizational structure ChairmanExecutive CommitteeBoard of DirectorsPresidentVice PresidentStaff in functional departments Current staff Chairman: Michael R. SplinterPresident: Rupert Hammond-ChambersVice President: Lotta Danielsson History 1970s In 1976, David M. Kennedy formed the organization in Chicago, Illinois as the “USA-ROC Economic Council.” For the next 14 years he served as Chairman of the organization and helped guide its development. William Morell was elected President the same year. The organization quickly got involved with the commercial and political spheres in both the United States and Taiwan, and it played an important role in the drafting and passing of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979, the legislation that guides US-Taiwan relations in lieu of official diplomatic recognition. 1980s The 1980s brought the Council an expanded membership base and deeper ties with business and political leaders in Taiwan. Since U.S. diplomatic recognition had been transferred from Taipei to Beijing, the Council took on greater importance as it continued to work towards strengthening trade and communications with Taiwan on behalf of American companies. 1990s In 1990, Caspar Weinberger ("Cap") succeeded David Kennedy as Chairman of the organization and David Laux was elected to take the place of outgoing President William Morell. The change in leadership also brought with it a change in venue, as the Council relocated its office from Chicago to Washington, D.C. In 1991, the Council formed its “Chairman’s Circle,” a group of member companies with heavily vested business interests in Taiwan. In 1995, Dan Tellep was elected Chairman as Caspar Weinberger rotated out of the post. Soon afterwards the “USA-ROC Economic Council” changed its name to the “US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council.” William P. Clark was elected Chairman in January 1997. Later that year, Senators Frank H. Murkowski of Alaska and John D. Rockefeller, IV of West Virginia became Honorary Co-chairmen. The Council also moved once more to Arlington, Virginia to share a floor with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the entity that – under contract to the U.S. State Department – manages America’s unofficial relationship with the island. Frank C.