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The Wall Street Journal noted a recent trend by the Bush administration to enlist corporate support for efforts to boost the U.S. image overseas. The article profiled the role Karen Hughes, a close Bush advisor and chief of public diplomacy, is playing in drafting major American multi-national companies to help out with government relief efforts around the globe.
Robert Lane , ’74, the CEO of Deere & Company, participated in one such mission to Guatemala after that country experienced major mudslides. Along with the CEO of PepsiCo, Lane visited the area and they pledged to help raise $100 million in aid. Both companies were solicited for the mission, in part, because of their business ties in Guatemala. Indeed, each CEO took time during the trip to meet with local business partners as well as government officials. However, Lane cautioned “if we are asked to do things that go beyond what our [basic] mission is, that’s where we may have to say it has gone too far.”
The article "Trying to Turn Its Image Around, U.S. Puts Top CEOs Out Front" appeared in the February 17, 2006 issue of the Wall Street Journal.