September 3, 2019
WASHINGTON – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has named Edward A. Burrier to be its Chief Operating Officer. For the past two years, Mr. Burrier has served as OPIC’s Vice President of External Affairs. He will replace former COO Ryan Brennan, who departed OPIC after two years with the agency.
“I’m excited to take on this role to help lead the agency during this critical period,” said Mr. Burrier. “I’m proud of our success over the past two years, and look forward to continuing to work with and learn from the staff at OPIC as we advance our mission and deliver on the mandate of the new U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.”
As Vice President of External Affairs, Mr. Burrier managed the agency’s relationships with Congress, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders as well as oversaw all communications and public outreach to advance OPIC’s mission of supporting development and advancing U.S. foreign policy.
Notably, Mr. Burrier directed the agency’s strategy and worked closely with Congress, government counterparts, and external stakeholders to advance the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act into law. The BUILD Act is landmark, bipartisan legislation that will soon create the new U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to reform and modernize the U.S. Government’s development finance capabilities
“As OPIC’s Vice President of External Affairs over the past two years, Edward was instrumental to the passage of the BUILD Act and is uniquely prepared to lead the implementation of this historic legislation,” said Acting OPIC President and CEO David Bohigian. “As we work to launch a world-class development finance institution and stand up the new government agency, I look forward to Edward’s continued leadership.
Mr. Burrier has over two decades of foreign policy experience, including 18 years on Capitol Hill, culminating with four and a half years as Deputy Staff Director of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In his role, Mr. Burrier advised the Chairman and Members on all policy matters before the committee and provided leadership on the formulation of the committee’s legislative and oversight goals. During his tenure, the committee enacted more than 40 pieces of legislation to advance U.S. interests across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
After receiving his B.A. in Political Science from Mary Washington College, Mr. Burrier received his M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. In 2010, he was named to the Foreign Policy Initiative’s inaugural class of “Future Leaders.”
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The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with the tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. OPIC helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, and advocacy and by partnering with private equity fund managers.
OPIC services are available to new and expanding businesses planning to invest in more than 160 countries worldwide. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers. All OPIC projects must adhere to best international practices and cannot cause job loss in the United States.