The EastWest Institute (EWI) today announced that it has named Dr. William J. Parker III as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective June 15, Parker will succeed Ambassador Cameron Munter, who served from 2015-2019.

Parker is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Defense University Foundation, in Washington, D.C., and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of EWI from 2015-2018. He is also a member of EWI’s Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to announce Dr. Parker as the new incoming CEO and an individual prepared to lead EWI in the next phase of its history,” said Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman of the EastWest Institute. “Based on his passion for our mission, innovative approaches to tackling unresolved global security threats and his deep knowledge of the institute, Bill was an excellent choice for this role”

“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express our deep appreciation to Ambassador Munter for his outstanding leadership and for stewarding the institute over the last four years,” added Perot.

Dr. Parker is a national security expert and retired senior U.S. naval officer. During nearly three decades in uniform, he commanded three warships, and later, a squadron of warships, and served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Surface Forces. He was the 2009 recipient of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership, as well as the Bronze Star, three Legions of Merit and the Department of State Meritorious Honor award. In addition to multiple combat tours, he held the post of senior advisor and strategist with U.S. Embassies in Iraq and Pakistan. He is a life member and former Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations.