The ACG, FGS Global, and the Freunde des American Council on Germany will host a discussion an reception with General Tim Ray, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) and, President and Chief Executive Officer for Business Executives for National Security (BENS), and Ambassador Gordon Sondland, Former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and Member of the BENS Ambassador’s Council, and moderated by Anja Wehler-Schöck, International Editor at Der Tagesspiegel.
Berlin – Germany’s Strategic Reorientation: Rearmament, Resilience, and the Transatlantic Alliance
September 15 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT
General Tim Ray is the President and CEO of Business Executives for National Security, a nonpartisan nonprofit comprised of accomplished business and industry executives and entrepreneurs who apply their experience and best business practices to help address our Nation’s pressing national security challenges. General Ray is a highly decorated, retired United States Air Force Four-Star General who most recently served as Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. Concurrently, he served as the Commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, United States Strategic Command with a focus on strategy and operational excellence. Previously, he served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command where he was the Deputy Commander for all U.S. Joint Forces in Europe. He was responsible for joint, combined operations, planning and exercises to ensure U.S. and coalition military readiness and regional stability all during Russian efforts to destabilize Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
General Ray holds a Master of Science degree in Aviation Sciences and Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from Air War College. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Factors Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is a Distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College.
Ambassador Gordon Sondland is a BENS member and a member of BENS’ Ambassador’s Council. In 2018, he was appointed to serve as the 20th U.S. Ambassador to the European Union by President Donald Trump and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2018. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the EU until February 2020. In this role, he was one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials in Europe and his portfolio included trade, energy, national security, defense, agriculture, and several other files.
Ambassador Sondland’s community service includes positions on Oregon Governor Kulongoski’s transition team, as well as service on the Commission for White House Fellowships to which he was appointed by President George W. Bush. He was elected as its Chairman in 2009 and he served until 2011. Ambassador Sondland was appointed by Governor Kulongoski as Chairman to the Governor’s Office of Film and Television in 2002. As one of the longest serving members and Chairs, Ambassador Sondland helped to preside over the growth of Oregon’s film and television industry. Ambassador Sondland has also served as a member of the U.S. Bancorp Advisory Board and on the Board of Visitors of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.
Ambassador Sondland is an early adopter of the lifestyle hotel concept, and started his career in hospitality when he formed Provenance, opening its first – Hotel Lucia – in downtown Portland, Oregon in 2001. He is an active investor in multiple industries, and an avid art collector.
Anja Wehler-Schöck (Moderator) is the International Editor of the Berlin daily Der Tagesspiegel and member of its Editorial Board. In 2022, she founded the paper’s international affairs desk, which she subsequently headed until the end of 2024. Prior to that, she worked as the Editor-in-Chief of the IPG Journal, a debate platform for issues of international and European politics. She previously worked as a social affairs officer at the German Embassy in Washington and headed the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s office for Jordan and Iraq in Amman from 2012 to 2017.
Ms. Wehler-Schöck is a frequent commentator on international affairs, European politics, transatlantic relations, and security policy. From 2005 to 2007, she served as Adjunct Lecturer at the Free University of Berlin, Germany. She holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Sciences Po in Paris and the Free University of Berlin.