REPORT FOR THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
SUBJECT: Ambassadorial Nomination: Certificate of Demonstrated Competence — Foreign Service Act, Section 304(a)(4)
POST: Republic of Chile
CANDIDATE: Andrew Michael Gellert
Andrew M. Gellert, President of Gellert Global Group in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a prominent American businessman. He leads an enterprise that consists of many of the foremost North American food importing companies, some of which have been importing food products for over 70 years. One company, Atalanta Corporation, is the largest privately held food importer in the U.S. Mr. Gellert has had a strong influence on the development of the Group’s manufacturing sector. He is a second generation member of the Young Presidents Organization and has served in many capacities, including Chairman, of the Association of Food Industries (AFI), which is part of a coalition of food importing associations that pursues the mutual trade interests of overseas suppliers and U.S. importers before the FDA and within the food legislation arena. Mr. Gellert’s demonstrated business acumen, management skills and engaged leadership in the international food importing sector, his knowledge of international commerce and his valuable contributions to national business associations and entrepreneur groups, make him well-qualified to serve as Ambassador to Chile.
Prior to becoming the President of the Gellert Global Group in 2005, Mr. Gellert served as Vice President, Juice Division, Camerican International (1995-2005), as Controller and Treasurer, Atalanta Corporation (1993-1995) and General Manager, Grocery Department, Atalanta Corporation (1991-1993), all in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He has served on numerous boards and advisory councils over the past ten years, including the Cornell Institute of Food Science Advisory Council.
Mr. Gellert earned a B.A. from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York in 1989. He speaks basic Spanish.