WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2006- The Heritage Foundation has appointed Walter Lohman as a senior research fellow in the prominent think tank's Asian Studies Center.

The former senior vice president and executive director of the US-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Council, Lohman will focus on analyzing America's economic, trade, security and political relationships with ASEAN as well as its constituent members: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.  His portfolio also will include Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

 "We are thrilled to bring an expert of Walter's caliber on board our team in the Asian Studies Center," said Michael A. Needham, director of the Asian Studies Center. "Walter is well known as a leading advocate for American interests in Southeast Asia. His vast knowledge of America's economic relationships, national security concerns, and the importance of strong U.S. bilateral relationships in Southeast Asia, will be a tremendous asset to The Heritage Foundation as we build on our 25 years of involvement in the region."

At the US-ASEAN Business Council, Lohman oversaw the council's mission of building U.S. market share in Southeast Asia, led multiple delegations of Fortune 500 companies to the region, participated in prominent business and policy forums, and regularly represented the council in its interaction with high-level ASEAN officials.  In the late 1990s, Lohman served as a country director at the US-ASEAN Business Council representing American interests in Indonesia and Singapore.   

From 1991 to 1996, Lohman served as a policy aide to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. during which time he advised the senator on foreign policy, trade and defense issues.  And in 2002, he served as a senior professional staff member advising Jesse Helms, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on issues affecting East Asia. 

Lohman has a bachelor's degree in humanities from Virginia Wesleyan College and a master's degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.  Originally from Norfolk, he now resides in Falls Church, Va. with his wife and twin sons. 

 With more than 275,000 individual, foundation and corporate supporters, The Heritage Foundation is the most broadly supported public policy research institute in the country. The 33-year-old institution has a staff of more than 200 and an annual budget of $42 million.