Former Washington, DC Press Secretary John Akouri Joins UALF Board of Directors

(SOUTHFIELD, MI)...The United American Lebanese Federation (UALF) announced today that the Honorable John Akouri, a Lebanese-American Councilman from Michigan, has joined the Organization’s Board of Directors. Mr. Akouri, who served as a Congressional Press Secretary was unanimously elected at the UALF’s Board meeting this week.

"We're honored to have John Akouri as a new member of our Board. As an active Lebanese-American and coupled with his incredible energy and enthusiasm, we're excited to welcome him to UALF," said Warren David, UALF President.

Mr. Akouri began serving on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in 1999. In his capacity as spokesman for the Congressman, he worked daily with both the International & National press corps. Mr. Akouri also participated in high-level talks on a wide range of initiatives regarding Lebanon during meetings with key Lebanese leaders that included: H.E. Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir, Ambassador to the US, Hon. Farid Abboud, General Michel Aoun, and American University of Beirut President John Waterbury.

In November 2003, Mr. Akouri ran a successful first time campaign for City Council in Farmington Hills, Michigan and was elected as the city’s first American-born Lebanese Councilman coming in as top vote getter. The youngest Member on Council, Akouri is extremely proud of his personal background and heritage as an American of Lebanese descent, and the accomplishments the Lebanese American community has achieved here in the United States. His family originally hails from the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon where he plans to visit this summer.

Mr. Akouri received his B.A. in Communications from Wayne State University and attended Lawrence Technological University. His active involvement in politics and public affairs span the course of the past two decades. Since the late 1980’s, he has been a leader in government, media and business at state, national & global levels. Mr. Akouri annually hosts the Lebanese founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Gala Benefit, which seeks to raise funds to assist children locally and for the charitable organization based in Memphis, Tennessee.