APCO Founder, CEO Margery Kraus Honored by Former Members of Congress for Civic Leadership

Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2013) — The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) tonight will present Margery Kraus, founder and chief executive officer of APCO Worldwide, with the Corporate Statesmanship Award for her dedication to service as a core value of her firm APCO Worldwide and her leadership in civic education through her decades of work with the Close Up Foundation.

“We have always sought to serve and support the community at APCO since its founding nearly 30 years ago. We believe that being concerned and compassionate citizens where we live and work is a core value of our company. I know that throughout APCO’s history, this has been appreciated by clients and staff alike, and it is very rewarding to see this commitment recognized, especially by an organization so esteemed as the Former Members of Congress,” Kraus said. “It’s an honor not just for me, but for all the terrific people with whom I have worked at APCO and at Close Up.

Kraus founded APCO in 1984 and has overseen its growth to more than 30 offices around the world with more than 600 employees. Today the firm is one of the largest private communication, stakeholder engagement and business strategy firms in the world; and it is the only one that is majority owned by its employees. She also was involved in the development of The Close Up Foundation, which has inspired hundreds of thousands of young people to exercise their rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. She began her work with Close up in 1971 as a staff member and still serves on its board of directors.

Kraus and APCO also are involved in other civic efforts including work for the Clinton Global Initiative and Yunus Social Business, a new initiative of Professor Muhammad Yunus the recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom and 2010 Congressional Gold Medal. Additionally, the firm is a corporate partner of the Points of Light Foundation and a proud member of A Billion + Change, a national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based services to address core issues communities face in the United States and around the world. APCO has pledged its best business skills and talents to serve the needs of non-profits and communities where we operate.

Many of Kraus’ personal volunteer activities have centered on education and women’s leadership initiatives, most recently as Chair of the Women President’s Organization.

Peter Weichlein, FMC chief executive officer, said tonight’s winners exemplify the spirit of service and the power of partnership. “We couldn’t have chosen more worthy individuals to receive our annual awards than senators Lugar and Nunn, Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation, and Margery Kraus. Each, in their own way, has raised the bar for volunteerism and bipartisanship. We congratulate them all for their lifetime of service. Like our former Members of Congress, they also exemplify the good that can come from people with different ideas and points of view, working together to find common ground,” he said.