{{Short description|American businessman}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = David Bohigian |image = David Bohigian official photo.jpg |caption = Official portrait, 2017 |office = President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation |term_label = Acting |president = Donald Trump |term_start = March 1, 2019 |term_end = December 20, 2019 |predecessor = Ray Washburne |successor = Adam S. Boehler (CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation) |office2 = Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance |president2 = George W. Bush |term_start2 = December 21, 2005 |term_end2 = January 2009 |predecessor2= William H. Lash |successor2 = Michael C. Camuñez |birth_date = |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |party = |education = Washington and Lee University (BA)<br />Washington University in St. Louis (JD) }} '''David Steele Bohigian''' is an American businessman, investor, venture capitalist, and government official. He served as the acting president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the former development finance institution of the United States government, from March to December 2019. Bohigian had previously served as the corporation's executive vice president.<ref name="Devex"/> He was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote<ref name="PN562">{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/565|title=PN565 — David Steele Bohigian — Overseas Private Investment Corporation|publisher=United States Congress|website=Congress.gov|date=August 3, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054704/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/565}}</ref> in August 2017 under the Donald Trump administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfc.gov/media/opic-press-releases/david-bohigian-confirmed-executive-vice-president-opic|title=David Bohigian Confirmed as Executive Vice President of OPIC|publisher=U.S. Development Finance Corporation|website=DFC.gov|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> Bohigian also served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance under President George W. Bush.<ref name="GovInfo">{{cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVMAN-2008-06-01/pdf/GOVMAN-2008-06-01-Pg127.pdf|title=Department of Commerce|website=GovInfo.gov|date=June 1, 2008|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054741/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVMAN-2008-06-01/pdf/GOVMAN-2008-06-01-Pg127.pdf}}</ref>
==Education== Bohigian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Washington and Lee University in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1995.<ref name="Leadership Connect">{{cite web |last=Lee |first=John |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Bohigian Takes Over for Washburne at OPIC |url=https://www.leadershipconnect.io/federal-government/2019/03/20/bohigian-takes-over-for-washburne-at-opic/ |access-date=January 6, 2021 |website=LeadershipConnect.io |publisher=Leadership Connect}}</ref><ref name="Intent to Nominate 1">{{cite web |date=June 5, 2017 |title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key-administration-posts-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117083836/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key-administration-posts-3/ |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |website=White House |url-status=live |publisher=The White House}}</ref>
==Career== After graduating, Bohigian served as a director and equity partner at venture capital firm Jefferson Partners from October 1995 to June 1999.<ref name="The Washington Post">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/09/09/trio-offers-prenatal-idea-care/454e156c-6027-4918-9359-3cfc6ba2c2ff/ |title=Trio Offers Prenatal Idea Care |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Henry |first=Shannon |date=September 9, 1999 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221111908/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/09/09/trio-offers-prenatal-idea-care/454e156c-6027-4918-9359-3cfc6ba2c2ff/ |archive-date=21 February 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045647/0001092388-00-000145.txt|title= FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|website=SEC.gov|date=April 20, 2000|access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Buyouts Insider">{{cite web|url=https://www.buyoutsinsider.com/vencatalyst-seeks-to-emulate-idealab/|title=VenCatalyst seeks to emulate idealab!|publisher=Buyouts Insider|last=Meikle|first=Brad|date=September 9, 1999|access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref>
In 1999, Bohigian co-founded and served as a managing director at VenCatalyst, a venture capital firm focused on technology companies.<ref name="The Washington Post"/><ref name="Buyouts Insider"/> In 2000, VenCatalyst was acquired by Internet business incubator Idealab.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-07-fi-61846-story.html|title=Idealab Launching Home-Buying Web Site |work=The Los Angeles Times|last=Kaplan|first=Karen|date=February 7, 2000|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=June 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627120702/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/07/business/fi-61846}}</ref><ref name="The Washington Post 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2000/01/31/digital-capital/ced1309e-c686-4cff-a522-2d976aa2283a/|title=DIGITAL CAPITAL|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Henry|first=Shannon|date=January 31, 2000|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> Bohigian would go on to serve as a managing director at Idealab after the acquisition.<ref name="The Washington Post 2"/> As part of Idealab, Bohigian also served in executive roles for their portfolio companies.<ref name="China Daily">{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/energy/2008-01/08/content_6379233.htm|title=Upcoming online chat with David Bohigian|work=China Daily|date=January 8, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
After working for the Bush administration’s Commerce Department, Bohigian founded private equity firm E2 Capital Partners in 2009, which focused on energy efficiency projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opic.gov/who-we-are/people/david-bohigian|title=Who We Are: David Bohigian|publisher=Overseas Private Investment Corporation|website=OPIC.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923143431/https://www.opic.gov/who-we-are/people/david-bohigian|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Mirror Spectator">{{cite web|url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/10/04/bohigian-discusses-journey-from-commerce-to-opic-to-role-in-armenia/|title=Bohigian Discusses Journey from Commerce to OPIC to Role in Armenia|work=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator|date=October 4, 2018|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
In 2010, Bohigian joined Bridgewater Associates’ core management team. He served as part of Bridgewater’s staff until 2013, when he founded and became managing director of the financial advisory firm and impact investment fund Pluribus Ventures,<ref name="Leadership Connect"/><ref name="Mirror Spectator"/> which has invested in venture capital and private equity funds supporting affordable housing, healthcare research, inclusive fintech, energy efficiency, education, government innovation, and veterans.
Bohigian is also a member of institutions such as the Council on Foreign Relations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster|title=Membership Roster|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|website=CFR.org|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> the Eagle Scouts of America,<ref name="China Daily"/><ref name="George W. Bush White House">{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/fbci/wh-agency-bios.pdf|title=White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Agency Centers|publisher=White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives|website=GeorgeWBush-WhiteHouse.archives.gov|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> and the Missouri Bar Association.<ref name="China Daily"/><ref name="George W. Bush White House"/>
==Government career== Bohigian began his career in government by working for Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich in 1995 as an intern and staff assistant.<ref name="Mirror Spectator"/><ref name="The Washington Post 3">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/08/23/outsider-gutierrez-helped-by-old-bush-hands/2d3734de-5dda-4876-a48c-f9428e0764b0/|title=Outsider Gutierrez Helped by Old Bush Hands|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Faler|first=Brian|date=August 23, 2005|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
In 2002, George W. Bush’s administration offered Bohigian a position in the Commerce Department.<ref name="Mirror Spectator"/> He held several positions in the Department of Commerce, including Director of Policy and Strategic Planning from 2002 to 2005 and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance from 2005 to 2009.<ref name="GovInfo"/><ref name="Leadership Connect"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=5492084&page=1|title=Bohigian Discusses Journey from Commerce to OPIC to Role in Armenia|work=ABC News|date=February 19, 2009|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
In September 2008, Bohigian led a clean energy and environment trade mission to China and India as a representative of the Bush administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.energy-daily.com/reports/US_19_firms_on_clean-energy_trade_mission_to_China_India_999.html|title=US, 19 firms on clean-energy trade mission to China, India|publisher=Energy Daily|date=August 28, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WSJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-CJB-151|title=America Screams for Chinese Ice Cream--and Tees?|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 3, 2008|last=Canaves|first=Sky|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> Bohigian also served as the Commerce Department’s representative in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).<ref name="WSJ"/>
In late 2016, Bohigian was appointed to the Donald Trump administration’s Commerce Department transition team.<ref name="Mirror Spectator"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/307066-trump-taps-economists-investors-for-transition-team|title=Trump taps economists, investors for transition team|work=The Hill|last=Lane|first=Sylvan|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> In February 2017, he served as a special adviser to the United States Department of the Treasury.<ref name="Mirror Spectator"/>
In June 2017, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Bohigian as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).<ref name="Intent to Nominate 1"/> In August 2017, he was confirmed by the Senate to his position in the OPIC.<ref name="PN562"/> Bohigian eventually assumed the role of acting president and CEO of the OPIC in March 2019.<ref name="Devex">{{cite web|url=https://www.devex.com/news/from-chopping-block-to-starting-block-david-bohigian-on-his-time-at-opic-96146|title=From 'chopping block' to 'starting block': David Bohigian on his time at OPIC|publisher=Devex|date=December 4, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021|last=Saldinger|first=Adva}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenian-assembly.org/2019/08/06/u-s-agency-opic-head-david-bohigian-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-national-advocacy-conference/|title=U.S. Agency OPIC Head David Bohigian to be Keynote Speaker at National Advocacy Conference|publisher=Armenian Assembly of America|date=August 6, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126014126/https://armenian-assembly.org/2019/08/06/u-s-agency-opic-head-david-bohigian-to-be-keynote-speaker-at-national-advocacy-conference/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his time in the OPIC, Bohigian helped implement the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act (BUILD Act),<ref name="Devex"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/press-briefing-with-david-bohigian-executive-vice-president-of-the-u-s-overseas-private-investment-corporation/|title=Press Briefing With David Bohigian, Executive Vice President of the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation|publisher=U.S. Department of State|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> pitched the Blue Dot Network infrastructure program,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uscnpm.org/2019/11/11/connecting-the-dots-the-us-answer-to-the-bri/|title=Connecting the Dots-the U.S.' Answer to the BRI?|work=U.S.-China Perception Monitor|last=La Terza|first=Rob|date=November 11, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> approved more than $6 billion in investment worldwide,<ref name="Telephonic">{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/telephonic-press-briefing-with-dfc-acting-ceo-david-boihigan/|title=Telephonic Press Briefing with OPIC Acting President Bohigian|publisher=U.S. Department of State|date=August 20, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> and helped launch the 2X Africa initiative for women’s empowerment alongside Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usau.usmission.gov/launch-of-opic-2x-africa-and-african-womens-economic-empowerment-dialogue/|title=Launch of OPIC 2X Africa and African Women's Economic Empowerment Dialogue |publisher=U.S. Mission to the African Union|date=April 17, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-agency-working-with-ivanka-trump-to-back-women-entrepreneurs-11563373145|title=U.S. Agency Working With Ivanka Trump to Back Women Entrepreneurs|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 17, 2019|last=Clark|first=Simon|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> He also helped oversee the OPIC’s conversion into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.<ref name="Devex"/><ref name="Telephonic"/> In late 2019, Bohigian left his position as acting president.<ref name="Devex"/>
In 2019, President Trump nominated Bohigian as a member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-26/|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts|publisher=The White House|website=White House|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116220654/https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-26/|url-status=live}}</ref> He currently serves as a Commissioner of the White House Fellows Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whff.org/meet-the-team/|title=The Board of Directors of the White House Fellows Foundation|publisher=The White House|website=White House|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bohigian, David}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:George W. Bush administration personnel Category:Overseas Private Investment Corporation officials Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:First Trump administration personnel Category:United States Department of Commerce officials Category:United States Department of the Treasury officials Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Washington and Lee University alumni Category:Washington University School of Law alumni