Project Manager, Transatlantic Relations
Josh joined the Bertelsmann Foundation in August 2012, shortly after receiving his master’s degree in comparative European stud- ies from American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC. While studying at American, he held internships at the Center for European Policy Analysis and the Bureau of Eu- ropean and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State. His research thesis focused on the effects of collective memory on for- eign-policy behavior in post-unification Germany.
Josh’s writings have appeared in the Journal of International Service as well as the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs. Josh’s responsibilities at the Foundation include research and project management support on several Foundation initiatives, with particular focus on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as well as German and Eastern European politics. Josh is the lead project manager for the TTIP Town Hall program, an information and awareness-raising campaign that will focus on the local and region- al impact of a potential TTIP agreement while expanding the TTIP debate beyond Washington, DC.
Prior to obtaining his master’s degree, Josh lived in the Czech Re- public and Germany for two years, working in multiple positions in support of international education exchange. He holds a bache- lor’s degree in mass-media studies and international affairs from Florida State University.



Geert C. Visser is currently the President of the Netherlands – American Chamber of Commerce, Texas Chapter and the former Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands He has exercised the position of Executive Secretary of the Consular Corps of Houston, Texas, since 2006. On January 01, 2010, Geert Visser was appointed Regional Director in the U.S. for the Port of Rotterdam. Since 1982, Geert Visser has occupied the position of President of Global Marine Transport Inc. With more than 30 years of experience in the Marine Transportation industry, Geert has carried out and contributed to Marine Transportation projects throughout the world. Prior to his relocation to Houston, in 1978, Geert was Vice President of the Dutch Marine Installation company of Heerema Marine Contractors and as such was stationed in The Hague, The Netherlands, in London, England, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and in Port Gentile in the Congo. Geert’s work environments have exposed him to different cultures and his extensive work experience has consistently involved operation management, diplomacy, and technical and security issues. Geert Visser is a Dutch national and has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of The Hague, The Netherlands. Besides his native Dutch, his languages include English and German.











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