Steven J. Green

After nearly three decades of business leadership, Steven Jay Green was sworn in as the twelfth United States Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore on November 18, 1997. He concluded his service on March 1, 2001.

During Ambassador Green's term, he spearheaded a number of strategic programs that greatly enhanced US-Singapore alliances in economic development, intellectual property, immigration and national security. Many of his accomplishments greatly expanded American business opportunities in Singapore and other ASEAN markets.

To address the challenges of the Asian financial crisis, Ambassador Green created and led the regional response program that linked all ASEAN Chiefs of Missions in a continuous assessment of regional markets and provided a direct communication network for American businesses impacted by the economic turmoil. As an extension of this effort, Ambassador Green organized and directed a now regular series of US government-led regional trade missions for US businesses pursuing ASEAN-wide strategies and seeking consistent host government investment and development regimes.

Ambassador Green also led his embassy to create new export and investment programs for America's small and medium size enterprises. Through his "Gateway ASEAN" initiative, Ambassador Green launched a pilot program between the US Chamber of Commerce and Singapore's Productivity and Standards Board to create an interactive marketing, sales and distribution channel linking millions of US SMEs to prospective customers throughout the region. In 1999, Ambassador Green helped launch Singapore's Technoentrepreneurship Fund providing over a billion dollars of Singapore venture capital to American technology companies.

Ambassador Green's record of success in energizing and expanding America's business interests in the region culminated last November when he directly led the effort to commence bilateral negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United States and Singapore.

Ambassador Green also increased American corporate citizenship in Singapore by founding Friendship Works, a model program targeting US business philanthropy and related volunteer action to specific areas of need in community building, education and health care.

Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Green compiled a 25 year record of success as an international industrialist leading major corporate restructurings and expansions for manufacturing, housing, consumer products, retail and real estate enterprises. He was and now returns to the position of Chairman and CEO of Greenstreet Partners, a private merchant bank.

From 1988-1996, Ambassador Green served as Chairman and CEO of Samsonite Corporation. Samsonite was formerly the major operating subsidiary of Astrum International Corporation where he also served as Chairman and CEO from 1990-1995 and directed the strategic management and operations of Samsonite and its affiliates, American Tourister and Culligan Water. Samsonite and Culligan became separate public companies in 1995.

As Chairman of Astrum, Ambassador Green led the operating companies' expansion into emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East. In 1992, he opened the first American retailing center on Red Square with Samsonite's "World of Travel" store. In 1995 and 1996, Samsonite began major production, marketing and distribution projects in the ASEAN countries, India and China.

In 1995, President Clinton appointed Ambassador Green to the President's Export Council where he served on the Executive Committee and chaired the Strategic Communications Committee.

In addition to his corporate leadership and public service, Ambassador Green has been active in national civic affairs through the Green Family Foundation (www.greenff.org), an organization dedicated to supporting social programs, which include HIV/AIDS prevention and education, access to the arts, youth and education, homeless assistance, disaster relief, and community outreach. He has served as a trustee and program chair for the Children's Health Fund, the United States Olympic Committee's Champions in Life program, the United Way and Florida International University.

Ambassador Green is a board member of the University of Miami and the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is also a board member of Knowledge Universe Holdings, KLC Knowledge Learning Centers, and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners, a company that manages a large portfolio of education-related real estate. Ambassador Green was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of K1 Ventures Limited, a publicly traded investment company in Singapore. In addition, Ambassador Green serves as Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Miami, Florida.

Ambassador Green is married to Dorothea and has two daughters, Andrea and Kimberly. They are also proud grandparents of Steven Wesley and Olivia Tyler.

Ambassadorial Post(s)

Singapore, (1997 - 2001)

Areas of Expertise