DALLAS — Mark Langdale, a former United States Ambassador to Costa Rica, will join the Mayor’s International Advisory Council (MIAC), Mayor Eric Johnson officially announced Friday.
Langdale is joining the MIAC — which advises the mayor on international affairs and helps host meetings with foreign dignitaries — as it is assists the city’s bids to host the Summit of the Americas and the World Cup. The MIAC is also crucial to Mayor Johnson’s efforts to bring foreign trade offices to Dallas.
“The Mayor’s International Advisory Council is helping to take our great city to the next level in international affairs,” Mayor Johnson said. “Ambassador Langdale has had an incredibly distinguished career in public service and in the private sector, and I am thrilled that he has agreed to join this amazing team.
“With the help of the Mayor’s International Advisory Council, we can build for our city’s future in this increasingly interconnected world.”
During the George W. Bush administration, Langdale served as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica from 2005 to 2008, focusing on the ratification and participation by Costa Rica in the Central America Free Trade Agreement. He also negotiated and finalized the largest debt-for-nature swap in an agreement among the United States, Costa Rica, the Nature Conservancy, and Conservation International. And he worked to strengthen the security partnership between Costa Rica and the U.S.
“Texans have long appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit and free market opportunities of our state,” Amb. Langdale said. “Today the rest of the world is taking notice and Dallas is attracting investment from all over the world. I am delighted that Mayor Johnson is making global trade and investment a priority for his administration.”
Mayor Johnson established the MIAC in January 2020. In addition to Langdale, the MIAC's members are former U.S. Ambassadors Richard Fisher, Kathryn Hall, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Robert Jordan, James C. Oberwetter, and Jeanne L. Phillips. Ambassador Phillips serves as the MIAC's Chair.
“We are happy to welcome Ambassador Langdale to the Mayor's council of experts on international affairs,” Amb. Phillips said. “His years of experience in working with global leaders will add greatly to our international team. Together this group is coordinating and implementing a strategy to take Dallas to the next level on the international playing field.”
Prior to his career in public service, Langdale served as president of Posadas USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Grupo Posadas S.A. de C.V. from 1989 until 2005. During that time, he oversaw the U.S. management and investment activities for the company and helped orchestrate the company’s IPO on the Mexican Bolsa in 1994.
His public board experience includes service on the board of Grupo Posadas, SA de CV (Mexican Bolsa) from 1994 to 2005; Caprock Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ) from 1997 to 2002; and as the Chairman of the Texas Department of Economic Development from 1997 to 2002.
After leaving the foreign service, Langdale served as the founding President of the George W. Bush Foundation when it was responsible for the development and launch of the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The Center contains the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Institute.
During Landale’s tenure, the presidential library and museum was dedicated by all five living U.S. Presidents on April 25, 2013 and deeded to the National Archives and Records Administration. He left that position in September 2013, but continues to serve on the foundation's board.
Langdale is a long time active member of the Young Presidents Organization, receiving their Legacy Award in 2004 for demonstrated global leadership. He holds a bachelor of business administration with honors from the University of Texas at Austin (1975), and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston School Of Law (1977). He has been married to Patty for over 30 years. They have two children.
###
|
