Thomas A. Nassif , American Task
Force for Lebanon Chairman

Thomas A. Nassif is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the  American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization comprised primarily of dedicated Americans of Lebanese heritage and others who share a common interest in Lebanon and the goals of the ATFL. The aim is  to provide a national structure within which Americans of Lebanese heritage may articulate their shared concerns and promote the national unity, independence, and security of a free and democratic Lebanon. It also aims at heightening awareness of the American public and U.S. government officials and policymakers to the situation in Lebanon, encourage greater involvement by the United States in efforts to assure a lasting peace in Lebanon and to help restore the basic infrastructure of Lebanese economic, political, education, and social institutions.

Nassif is also the President and CEO of Western Growers. He was was brought to the 75 year old trade association representing 90% of the fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts in California and Arizona in February of 2002. His diverse leadership experience in addition to his background as a labor attorney for the agricultural industry makes the Former U.S. Ambassador a natural choice to lead the fresh produce industry into a new era through coalition building and an aggressive approach to addressing the key issues confronting the industry.

Thomas A. Nassif was part of the Reagan administration that came from California to Washington in 1981. His first position was in the Office of Protocol where he was Deputy and Chief of Protocol for the White House. He became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian affairs in 1983 and in 1985 was named by President Reagan as his ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Prior to leaving California, Ambassador Nassif was a partner in the law firm of Gray Cary Ames & Frye specializing in agricultural labor law. He represented the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers association and numerous growers and shippers in the Imperial Valley, Central Valley and Arizona. He was one of the attorneys who tried the first case before the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. He went on to represent growers and shippers in their elections, contract negotiations, arbitrations, unfair labor practice hearings and multi-employer bargaining. He left his law practice in 1981 to join the Reagan Administration.

Since returning from Morocco, he served as Chairman of Gulf Interstate Engineering in Houston, Texas, an oil and gas pipeline company, President of Los Alamos Land Company developing industrial and commercial business parks on the U.S./Mexican border, and Managing Partner of Aequitas International consulting, an international business and political consulting company.

Born in Iowa, Ambassador Nassif received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University - Los Angeles and his Juris Doctorate from California Western University, School of Law in San Diego, California. He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Alumni award from the School of Business and Economics, California State University, and honorary doctor of Law from California Western University School of Law in San Diego. He was decorated by the late King Hassan II of Morocco and the President of Lebanon for his work on Middle East issues and currently serves as Chairman and CEO of the American Task Force for Lebanon.

Tom has been an active Christian his entire life. He initiated two bible studies at the Dept. of State in Washington D.C. and in the US Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. He was involved in the National Prayer Breakfast while in Washington and participated in bible studies at the Pentagon, White House and in Congress. He founded the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in La Jolla CA and was it's first Parish Council Chairman. For the past several years he served as sub-deacon and now as deacon in the church. He is an ordained clergyman at St. Anthony the Great Orthodox Christian Church and serves there on the Saturday evenings and Sunday.

He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1968, is married and has two adult children.

Email: tnassif@wga.com
Contact Information: American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) 2213 M. Street, N.W., Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20037 Phone: 202-223-9333 Fax: 202-223-1399
Realted Link: http://www.atfl.org