WASHINGTON- Lee Hamilton, President and Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, has appointed Gerald (Gerry) McCaughey as chair of the advisory board for its Canada Institute. McCaughey is the President and CEO of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), one of the largest financial services institutions in Canada.

"CIBC has been a strong supporter of the Canada Institute since its founding. Under Gerry's leadership, CIBC has greatly expanded its relationship with the Institute and the Wilson Center. Gerry's dedication to understanding public policy, and to promoting stronger relations between the United States and Canada, make him the natural choice to chair the advisory board," said David Biette, director of the Canada Institute.

McCaughey has extensive experience in the North American banking and financial services industry, joining CIBC as part of its 1990 acquisition of Merrill Lynch's Canadian Private Client operations. McCaughey became President and Chief Operating Officer of CIBC in December 2004, and was named Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors in August 2005. He is extremely knowledgeable on public policy issues in the United States and Canada and his experience in corporate leadership in both countries has convinced him of the importance of our bilateral cooperation. His interest in promoting the Canada-U.S. relationship and his passion for dialogue have led him to build CIBC's relationship with the Wilson Center, and to enable the Canada Institute to continue its work on bilateral issues.