Former Financial Services Chairman Mike Oxley Joins APCO's International Advisory Council

'Wrote the book on transparency'

Washington, D.C. (January 23, 2008) – Former Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Michael G. Oxley, one of the key authors of the landmark Sarbanes-Oxley Act, today joined APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council (IAC), Margery Kraus, president and CEO, announced.

Oxley will provide high-level strategic counsel to APCO’s domestic and multinational clients in corporate governance, financial transactions, export and trade promotion, and government oversight and investigations.

"Mike wrote the book on corporate transparency – literally," said Kraus. "His wealth of knowledge and experience will prove to be an invaluable resource for our clients around the world."

Among Oxley's notable legislative achievements during his 25 years of service in the U.S. Congress: the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act which helped resolve the post-9/11 insurance crisis; the anti-money laundering provisions of the USA Patriot Act to help track terrorist financing; and, the FACT Act that brought consumers free annual credit reports.

"As global markets further intertwine, questions of corporate responsibility and governance become more complex – and more important," said Oxley. "APCO is a leader in this field, and I am excited to join such a winning team."

Oxley is of counsel to the Baker Hostetler law firm, where he works with the Government Policy Group. During his career, Oxley supported efforts to curb government spending, to lower taxes and to reduce excessive regulation. In 1995, Oxley was named chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Hazardous Materials, which oversaw capital markets. In this role, he successfully pressed for stock prices to be quoted in dollars and cents, leaving the fraction system behind and saving investors billions.

In his capacity as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Oxley was the father of the spectrum auction, which made new portions of the radio spectrum available to communications companies. The effort boosted business activity in the wireless industry and raised $16.5 billion for the U.S. Treasury. He was a key player in the 1996 Telecommunications Act and in January 2001, Oxley was chosen by the House leadership to chair the new Financial Services Committee. Building on the achievements of the previous Banking Committee, the new panel consolidated jurisdiction to oversee the areas of banking, insurance, securities and exchanges, housing, and monetary policy.

Congressman Oxley was elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 1972. He represented the 82nd District until July 1981 when he began his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to his career in public life, Oxley was a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assigned to Boston and New York. He moved to Ohio and practiced law prior to being elected to the General Assembly.

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO was named 2007 PR Agency of the Year by PRNews; 2006 Agency of the Year by PRWeek; 2007, 2006 and 2005 European Consultancy of the Year by Public Affairs News; and 2004 Public Affairs Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report. Clients include corporations, governments, industry associations and nonprofit organizations. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO includes among its clients seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. Core services include corporate, investor and internal communication; crisis management; issue management; government relations; litigation communication; media relations; coalition building; opinion research; market entry; corporate responsibility; and online communication. APCO is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.

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Contacts:
Elizabeth Wolf
+1.202.778.1470
ewolf@apcoworldwide.com