The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA) in the United States has announced that Raymond F. Kerins, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of The Next Solutions Group (NSG), has been appointed to its Advisory Board. Kerins brings more than three decades of experience in reputation management, public affairs and communications leadership across heavily regulated industries including healthcare, agriculture and defense organizations.
“It is a privilege to welcome Ray Kerins to our Advisory Board,” said Nancy Prager-Kamel, Chairwoman of The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the U.S. “Ray’s track record in supporting journalism programs and journalists coupled with his global communications and public affairs experience will bring valuable insight to our work supporting foreign correspondents across the United States.”
Kerins is the founder and CEO of NSG, a reputation management consultancy specializing in issues and crisis management, business intelligence and strategic communications. Prior to founding NSG, Ray served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Bayer Corporation, where he led communications, government relations and policy functions for all major business divisions. Kerins also oversaw the Bayer U.S. Foundation and chaired Bayer’s political action committee. Earlier in his career, Kerins held senior global leadership positions at Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., where he directed global communications and public affairs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Advisory Board of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents,” Kerins said. “The role of the press in strengthening democracy and fostering global understanding cannot be overstated, and I look forward to contributing to AFPC-USA’s mission of empowering and supporting international journalists.”
Kerins has extensive leadership experience including as an Audit & Executive Committee member of the board of directors at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chair Emeritus of the Chamber’s Global Innovation Property Center. He is a board member and a member of the audit committee of the Congressional Award, the U.S. Congress’s only charity. Kerins is Chair of the CDC Business Roundtable.
Ray is a longtime advisor to the National Press Foundation and a member of the National Press Club.
Kerins holds a Master of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Iona University and has completed executive leadership training at Harvard Business School.
