The Middle East Institute is pleased to announce the election of five new members to the Board of Governors.

Lois Critchfield joins the Board as a former US government official who lived in the Middle East for many years. She lived and worked in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey and has traveled extensively in the Gulf region. She has just completed a book on the Sultanate of Oman. Critchfield currently resides in Williamsburg, VA and is closely associated with the Reves Center for International Studies at The College of William and Mary where she works to bring knowledge and understanding of the Middle East to younger generations.

Joseph Englehardt has had a long involvement with the Middle East,academically, through the military, and in peacekeeping. A former MidEastStudies Director at the Army War College, he had four residentpolitical-military assignments in the region and was the Middle EastMilitary Advisor at the State Department while on active duty with the U.S.Army. Retiring as a colonel, he then served as the Director General'sRepresentative of the Multinational Force and Observers in Cairo. He isactively engaged in Middle East political, political-military, andcommercial issues.
Susan Bastress was the first non-Qatari to be admitted to the bar of Qatar where she lived for two and a half years. Bastress was Patton Boggs’ first managing partner of their office in Doha and is now Middle East Regional Coordinator. Her experience in and with the Middle East will be an asset to MEI’s Board.

George Hall is CEO of the Clinton Group in New York. His service to the Board will be complemented by his experience with philanthropy and business. He graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy and the University of Pennsylvania.

George Hoguet is Managing Director of the State Street Global Advisors, State Street Bank, in Boston. He served in the US Treasury under President Reagan where he was also the Alternative Executive Director at the World Bank. As a seasoned professional in finance and politics, Hoguet brings valuable skills to the Board.

“Each of the candidates brings with them a wealth of experience and knowledge about the Middle East,” said MEI Chairman Wyche Fowler. “The Middle East Institute is fortunate to have them on our Board.”