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BOZTEPE TO HEAD TURKISH-US GROUP
Elýf Ozmenek
Turkish Daily News
Jan 23 2008
Turkey
The move by one of Ankara's most influential lobby groups in the
United States to elect a businessman as its president has given
political circles hope for change in the association that has been
overshadowed by corruption scandals and personal power struggles.
The Federation of Turkish American Associations' (FTAA) president for
the new term, Kaya Boztepe, has previously held executive positions
in giant U.S. companies JC Penney, Fadded Glory and Wal-Mart. He won
108 votes whereas his closest competitor received only 44.
Some 151 delegates representing 31 Turkish American Associations all
over the U.S. voted in the FTAA presidential elections. But quarrels
between the candidates and the old administration from time to time
marred the voting process.
In the past arguments among FTAA members have been reflected in
the press, especially last year when Ankara was working to prevent
a bill on the alleged Armenian "genocide" passing from the House
of Representatives. An ugly fight broke out between former FTAA
President Ata Erim and president at the time Attila Pak. Erim, in
a press release, said that he would take Pak to court because of
personal attack in a corruption allegation. The fight received a lot
of negative reaction from the American-Turkish community.
In his opening remarks Boztepe gave a message of unity. He drew
attention to the negative image that FTAA has had for several years
and asked the association's members to work together for the benefit
of the Turkish community.
"FTAA will have a new and transparent fiscal management policy and we
will soon apply for a not-for-profit organization status in the U.S.,"
Boztepe said.
By itemizing the organization's spending and publishing it monthly,
FTAA will never have to hide behind corruption allegations, he added.
"I will work to unite the American-Turkish community, disenchanted by
the federation because of inner conflicts among FTAA members," said
Boztepe, adding that one of the first tasks he plans on undertaking
is to establish a database for the American-Turkish community as the
association has been criticized for years not being able to establish
an accurate database for Turks living in the U.S., and for failing
to provide a strong network.
Political circles say that Boztepe, an accomplished businessman,
will bring the change necessary to the FTAA. His political background
and business experience will help the FTAA a great deal, said many
delegates after casting their votes.
Boztepe's political career began in 1984. He founded the Turkish
American Youth Association in New York and became its first
president. In later years Boztepe worked at the FTAA's executive
board and became the most elected assembly representative. He was
one of the founders of TRTV, the first Turkish TV in the tristate area.
But Boztepe has also enjoyed a very successful career as a
businessman. He is one of the first people in the U.S. who promoted
organic textile products in big retail stores such as Wal-Mart. In
1999 at Wal-mart Boztepe brought a group of the firm's executives to
Turkey and introduced them to Turkish organic cotton products.
In 2003 Boztepe founded his own company, Eco Green, and played an
instrumental role in introducing Turkey to the U.S. organic textile
market. By merging Eco Green with Cote de France, Boztepe managed to
get Turkish organic textile products into giant U.S. companies like
Macy's and Target.
"If he could do what he promised Turkish lobby will take a new and
strong turn in the U.S.," many experts have said.
--Boundary_(ID_Snk5Ff7o6KsrwJEF7n2QaQ)--
Elýf Ozmenek
Turkish Daily News
Jan 23 2008
Turkey
The move by one of Ankara's most influential lobby groups in the
United States to elect a businessman as its president has given
political circles hope for change in the association that has been
overshadowed by corruption scandals and personal power struggles.
The Federation of Turkish American Associations' (FTAA) president for
the new term, Kaya Boztepe, has previously held executive positions
in giant U.S. companies JC Penney, Fadded Glory and Wal-Mart. He won
108 votes whereas his closest competitor received only 44.
Some 151 delegates representing 31 Turkish American Associations all
over the U.S. voted in the FTAA presidential elections. But quarrels
between the candidates and the old administration from time to time
marred the voting process.
In the past arguments among FTAA members have been reflected in
the press, especially last year when Ankara was working to prevent
a bill on the alleged Armenian "genocide" passing from the House
of Representatives. An ugly fight broke out between former FTAA
President Ata Erim and president at the time Attila Pak. Erim, in
a press release, said that he would take Pak to court because of
personal attack in a corruption allegation. The fight received a lot
of negative reaction from the American-Turkish community.
In his opening remarks Boztepe gave a message of unity. He drew
attention to the negative image that FTAA has had for several years
and asked the association's members to work together for the benefit
of the Turkish community.
"FTAA will have a new and transparent fiscal management policy and we
will soon apply for a not-for-profit organization status in the U.S.,"
Boztepe said.
By itemizing the organization's spending and publishing it monthly,
FTAA will never have to hide behind corruption allegations, he added.
"I will work to unite the American-Turkish community, disenchanted by
the federation because of inner conflicts among FTAA members," said
Boztepe, adding that one of the first tasks he plans on undertaking
is to establish a database for the American-Turkish community as the
association has been criticized for years not being able to establish
an accurate database for Turks living in the U.S., and for failing
to provide a strong network.
Political circles say that Boztepe, an accomplished businessman,
will bring the change necessary to the FTAA. His political background
and business experience will help the FTAA a great deal, said many
delegates after casting their votes.
Boztepe's political career began in 1984. He founded the Turkish
American Youth Association in New York and became its first
president. In later years Boztepe worked at the FTAA's executive
board and became the most elected assembly representative. He was
one of the founders of TRTV, the first Turkish TV in the tristate area.
But Boztepe has also enjoyed a very successful career as a
businessman. He is one of the first people in the U.S. who promoted
organic textile products in big retail stores such as Wal-Mart. In
1999 at Wal-mart Boztepe brought a group of the firm's executives to
Turkey and introduced them to Turkish organic cotton products.
In 2003 Boztepe founded his own company, Eco Green, and played an
instrumental role in introducing Turkey to the U.S. organic textile
market. By merging Eco Green with Cote de France, Boztepe managed to
get Turkish organic textile products into giant U.S. companies like
Macy's and Target.
"If he could do what he promised Turkish lobby will take a new and
strong turn in the U.S.," many experts have said.
--Boundary_(ID_Snk5Ff7o6KsrwJEF7n2QaQ)--