Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Lt.Gen. Chip Gregson, Joins Avascent International

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Apr 11, 2011) - Avascent International, a Washington, D.C.-based global advisory and consulting firm with offices in five cities on three continents, today announced that Lt.Gen. Wallace "Chip" Gregson, USMC [Ret.] has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. Lt.Gen. Gregson most recently served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.

"We are very excited to have Chip join the Avascent International team," said Steve Ganyard, President of Avascent International. "His extraordinary talents and experience in the Asia/Pacific region will solidify and expand our already broad client offerings."

Previously, Lt.Gen. Gregson served as Chief Operating Officer for the United States Olympic Committee, then as an independent consultant before entering Government in 2009. From 2003 to 2005, he was Commanding General of the Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Marine Corps Forces Central Command, where he led and managed over 70,000 Marines and Sailors in the Middle East, Afghanistan, East Africa, Asia and the United States. From 2001 to 2003 he served as Commanding General of all Marine Corps forces in Japan, where he was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, the Gold and Silver Star, and the Korean Order of National Security Merit, Gukseon Medal. Prior to his time in Japan he was Director of Asia-Pacific Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1998 to 2000. Lt.Gen. Gregson is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; the Pacific Council on International Policy; the International Institute for Strategic Studies; the U.S. Naval Institute; and the Marine Corps Association. His civilian education includes a Bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, and Master's degrees in Strategic Planning from the Naval War College.

About Avascent International: Working in partnership with The Avascent Group, Avascent International is a unique hybrid, combining the insight of a strategic advisory firm with the analytical capabilities of a leading consulting company. The Avascent International team possesses extensive diplomatic, governmental, military, and business expertise. We assist clients in identifying strategic partners and investment opportunities in key markets and advise on optimal government relations and market strategies.