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New York, NY - September 6, 2007 - The American Turkish Society is pleased to announce that Haluk Dinçer, Muhtar Kent, and Murad Megalli have joined the organization’s Board of Directors. The changes have gone into effect at the Society’s 58th Annual Board meeting last week in New York.

Haluk Dinçer is President of Sabancı Holding’s Food and Retailing Group; Muhtar Kent is President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company; and Murad Megalli is Managing Director and the Senior Country Officer for Turkey at JPMorgan. "We are honored that these fine gentlemen who have a real passion for Turkey - not just in business, but also arts, culture and education - joined the Society’s efforts to bring the United States and Turkey closer," remarked Mr. Murat Köprülü, who was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Vice Chairmen of the Society will be Lawrence M. Kaye, Partner at Herrick, Feinstein LLP, and A. Ümit Taftalı of the Suna and İnan Kiraç Foundation. Metin Negrin, Founder and President of Lexin Capital, will serve as Treasurer. "The Board of Directors has big shoes to fill," stated Mr. Köprülü, referring to the organization’s late Chairman Ahmet Ertegün, "we will do our best to honor his legacy by aiming to be the premier resource on Turkey in the United States."

The organization has also put into effect a number of bylaws changes and a new Executive Committee. In addition to Mr. Köprülü, Mr. Kaye, and Mr. Negrin, Laurence Pettit, Partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP, will serve on the committee. "We have been implementing best practices in nonprofit management and governance in order to make the Society an even stronger institution," remarked Selen Uçak, Executive Director of the Society, "in light of the Society’s upcoming 60th anniversary, we are preparing for greater reach and impact." Events and Education Program Committees will continue to be chaired by Mr. Kaye and Mr. Pettit, respectively. After many years of committed leadership, Nur Emirgil, who has stepped down as chair of the Cultural Expansion Initiative, will be replaced by Dr. Tamer Seçkin.

The American Turkish Society, founded in 1949, is America’s oldest not-for-profit organization seeking to enhance economic, political, and cultural ties between Turkey and the United States. The Society achieves its mission by bringing together leaders in government, including Prime Ministers, Ministers of State and Ambassadors, as well as business leaders, journalists, and scholars covering a spectrum of fields. In addition, the organization initiates and sponsors a variety of education and arts and culture programs.

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Press members wishing to learn more about The American Turkish Society may contact Selen Uçak, Executive Director, at 212-583-7614