Don Bonker

Don Bonker is a former U.S. congressman and a leading authority on international trade and investment and has broad experience on foreign policy issues. He is an executive vice president at APCO Worldwide.

Prior to joining APCO in 1989, Congressman Bonker served for 14 years in the United States House of Representatives from the State of Washington. He was a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, specializing in international trade, global environment and human rights issues. He chaired House subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade, Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations, and Subcommittee on Africa. He also served on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and is considered an authority on U.S. maritime policy.

Congressman Bonker, a national authority and spokesman on international trade for the Democratic Party in the 1980s, chaired former House Speaker Tip O’Neill’s Trade Task Force, which led to passage of the 1988 Omnibus Trade Act; headed the House Export Task Force; and authored or was principal sponsor of significant trade legislation, such as the Export Trading Company Act and the Export Administration Act.

He serves as president of the International Management and Development Institute, a nonprofit educational organization that provides corporations with information and analysis on international economic and trade developments. He previously served as chairman of the Parliament Human Rights Foundation (1992-1997); chairman of the Rhodes Scholarship Trust (1989-1991); and advisory board member of the United States Trade and Development Program (1989-1991).

In honor of his many accomplishments in environmental protection, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Agency officially designated the “Don Bonker Cedar Grove Trail” for his efforts to preserve the ancient cedar forest and he was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Congressman Bonker is among the leaders who organize the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.