Profile of Michel Issa: New U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon

Michel Issa has been appointed by President Donald Trump as the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, succeeding Lisa A. Johnson. He has a strong background in banking and automotive business, having transitioned from finance to owning automotive dealerships. Issa’s diverse experiences make him a notable figure in both sectors.

Michel Issa has been appointed as the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon by President Donald Trump, succeeding Lisa A. Johnson. Born in Bsous, Aley, he spent part of his early years in Beirut before relocating to Paris and later to New York. Currently retired, he resides in Florida.

Issa boasts an impressive career as a CEO, businessman, and investor, with substantial experience in both the banking and automotive sectors. His educational journey began in Paris, where he obtained a degree in economics from the University of Paris X and furthered his studies at the prestigious Cours D’Études Supérieures de Banque Institutes.

Launching his career in finance, Issa gained valuable expertise as a currency and senior foreign exchange trader in prominent institutions such as UBAF, Chase Manhattan Bank, and Credit Agricole. His notable achievements include managing trading floors in Paris and New York, where he introduced innovative financial instruments and led critical committees focused on credit and compliance.

Issa’s leadership in banking earned him acclaim, particularly for his design and oversight of a modern trading floor, which was highlighted in leading financial publications. His industry involvement is marked by participation in panels addressing credit, compliance, and technological impacts on finance.

In 1999, Issa transitioned to the automotive realm, acquiring dealerships for Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen. Leveraging his business acumen, he built a successful operation that achieved $35 million in annual sales, eventually selling the dealerships as separate entities in 2010.

In addition to his business endeavors, Issa has been passionate about sports, competing internationally in track and field, and embracing tennis and golf. He has held various significant roles throughout his career, including CEO of the Newton Investment Group since 2011, Vice President and Deputy Treasurer at Credit Agricole Indosuez from 1985 to 1997, and Foreign Exchange and Money Market Trader at UBAF from 1978 to 1982, applying his extensive experiences in management and business.

In conclusion, Michel Issa’s vast experience and impressive background in banking and business position him well as the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon. His trajectory from financial expert to automotive entrepreneur, combined with his sports interests, showcases a well-rounded individual ready to take on significant responsibilities in international relations.

Original Source: www.lbcgroup.tv