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Bernard W. Aronson is the founding partner of ACON Investments LLC, a private equity group that invests in both the United States and Latin America. Mr. Aronson served as assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs from 1989 to 1993 — the longest serving individual since the position was created. Following his service, Mr. Aronson received the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, for his work in ending the conflicts in Central America.

Mr. Aronson previously served as executive speechwriter and deputy assistant to President Jimmy Carter and as international adviser to Goldman Sachs and Co. for Latin America. Mr. Aronson has been published in the New York Times; the Washington Post; the Wall Street Journal; the Miami Herald and the New Republic among other publications.

Mr. Aronson received a B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago.