David Steele Bohigian is an American businessman, investor, venture capitalist, and government official. He served as the acting president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the former development finance institution of the United States government, from March to December 2019. Bohigian had previously served as the corporation's executive vice president.[1] He was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote[2] in August 2017 under the Donald Trump administration.[3] Bohigian also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance under President George W. Bush.[4]
David Bohigian | |
---|---|
President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation | |
Acting | |
In office March 1, 2019 – December 20, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Ray Washburne |
Succeeded by | Adam S. Boehler (CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation) |
Personal details | |
Education | Washington and Lee University (BA) Washington University in St. Louis (JD) |
Education
editBohigian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Washington and Lee University in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1995.[5][6]
Career
editAfter graduating, Bohigian served as a director and equity partner at venture capital firm Jefferson Partners from October 1995 to June 1999.[7][8][9]
In 1999, Bohigian co-founded and served as a managing director at VenCatalyst, a venture capital firm focused on technology companies.[7][9] In 2000, VenCatalyst was acquired by Internet business incubator Idealab.[10][11] Bohigian would go on to serve as a managing director at Idealab after the acquisition.[11] As part of Idealab, Bohigian also served in executive roles for their portfolio companies.[12]
After working for the Bush administration’s Commerce Department, Bohigian founded private equity firm E2 Capital Partners in 2009, which focused on energy efficiency projects.[13][14]
In 2010, Bohigian joined Bridgewater Associates’ core management team. He served as part of Bridgewater’s staff until 2013, when he founded and became managing director of the financial advisory firm and impact investment fund Pluribus Ventures,[5][14] which has invested in venture capital and private equity funds supporting affordable housing, healthcare research, inclusive fintech, energy efficiency, education, government innovation, and veterans.
Bohigian is also a member of institutions such as the Council on Foreign Relations,[15] the Eagle Scouts of America,[12][16] and the Missouri Bar Association.[12][16]
Government career
editBohigian began his career in government by working for Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich in 1995 as an intern and staff assistant.[14][17]
In 2002, George W. Bush’s administration offered Bohigian a position in the Commerce Department.[14] He held several positions in the Department of Commerce, including Director of Policy and Strategic Planning from 2002 to 2005 and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance from 2005 to 2009.[4][5][18]
In September 2008, Bohigian led a clean energy and environment trade mission to China and India as a representative of the Bush administration.[19][20] Bohigian also served as the Commerce Department’s representative in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).[20]
In late 2016, Bohigian was appointed to the Donald Trump administration’s Commerce Department transition team.[14][21] In February 2017, he served as a special adviser to the United States Department of the Treasury.[14]
In June 2017, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Bohigian as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).[6] In August 2017, he was confirmed by the Senate to his position in the OPIC.[2] Bohigian eventually assumed the role of acting president and CEO of the OPIC in March 2019.[1][22] During his time in the OPIC, Bohigian helped implement the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act (BUILD Act),[1][23] pitched the Blue Dot Network infrastructure program,[24] approved more than $6 billion in investment worldwide,[25] and helped launch the 2X Africa initiative for women’s empowerment alongside Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump.[26][27] He also helped oversee the OPIC’s conversion into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.[1][25] In late 2019, Bohigian left his position as acting president.[1]
In 2019, President Trump nominated Bohigian as a member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.[28] He currently serves as a Commissioner of the White House Fellows Foundation.[29]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Saldinger, Adva (December 4, 2019). "From 'chopping block' to 'starting block': David Bohigian on his time at OPIC". Devex. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "PN565 — David Steele Bohigian — Overseas Private Investment Corporation". Congress.gov. United States Congress. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "David Bohigian Confirmed as Executive Vice President of OPIC". DFC.gov. U.S. Development Finance Corporation. August 4, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Department of Commerce" (PDF). GovInfo.gov. June 1, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Lee, John (March 20, 2019). "Bohigian Takes Over for Washburne at OPIC". LeadershipConnect.io. Leadership Connect. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". WhiteHouse.gov. The White House. June 5, 2017. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Henry, Shannon (September 9, 1999). "Trio Offers Prenatal Idea Care". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. April 20, 2000. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ a b Meikle, Brad (September 9, 1999). "VenCatalyst seeks to emulate idealab!". Buyouts Insider. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ Kaplan, Karen (February 7, 2000). "Idealab Launching Home-Buying Web Site". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Henry, Shannon (January 31, 2000). "DIGITAL CAPITAL". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Upcoming online chat with David Bohigian". China Daily. January 8, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Who We Are: David Bohigian". OPIC.gov. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bohigian Discusses Journey from Commerce to OPIC to Role in Armenia". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. October 4, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Membership Roster". CFR.org. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Agency Centers" (PDF). GeorgeWBush-WhiteHouse.archives.gov. White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Faler, Brian (August 23, 2005). "Outsider Gutierrez Helped by Old Bush Hands". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Bohigian Discusses Journey from Commerce to OPIC to Role in Armenia". ABC News. February 19, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "US, 19 firms on clean-energy trade mission to China, India". Energy Daily. August 28, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Canaves, Sky (June 3, 2008). "America Screams for Chinese Ice Cream--and Tees?". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Lane, Sylvan (November 21, 2016). "Trump taps economists, investors for transition team". The Hill. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Agency OPIC Head David Bohigian to be Keynote Speaker at National Advocacy Conference". Armenian Assembly of America. August 6, 2019. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Press Briefing With David Bohigian, Executive Vice President of the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation". U.S. Department of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ La Terza, Rob (November 11, 2019). "Connecting the Dots-the U.S.' Answer to the BRI?". U.S.-China Perception Monitor. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "Telephonic Press Briefing with OPIC Acting President Bohigian". U.S. Department of State. August 20, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "Launch of OPIC 2X Africa and African Women's Economic Empowerment Dialogue". U.S. Mission to the African Union. April 17, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Clark, Simon (July 17, 2019). "U.S. Agency Working With Ivanka Trump to Back Women Entrepreneurs". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts". WhiteHouse.gov. The White House. December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "The Board of Directors of the White House Fellows Foundation". WhiteHouse.gov. The White House. Retrieved January 7, 2021.