Colm Rafferty, Vermeer
Campaign Statement
I’m honored to seek your vote in the upcoming AmCham China Board of Governors election.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve served our community as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Board Member. During my tenure as Chairman amid COVID, we advocated for member needs with both governments, launched the Southwest China Chapter, refreshed our Constitution, expanded our Vision & Mission to include Core Values, grew the Chairman’s Circle, and strengthened partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Today, U.S.-China relations face both challenges and opportunity. To help our member companies successfully navigate, AmCham China must continue to champion constructive engagement for fair and reciprocal policies, to expand market access, and to protect intellectual property for our companies—while helping to address concerns from both governments.
My career has focused on building economic bridges between the U.S. and China, creating jobs and opportunity in both countries. I first moved to Beijing in 2004, am based here with my wife and three sons, and lead Asia & Developing Markets for Vermeer Corporation—a global manufacturer of innovative solutions used to help connect people to the necessities of life, manage precious natural resources, and feed and fuel the world.
Thank you for your continued trust. With your support, I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of our vibrant, member-driven community, toward a brighter future for U.S.-China engagement.
Biography
Colm Rafferty is Vice President – Asia & Developing Markets for Vermeer Corporation and Chairman of Vermeer China Limited. Vermeer is a global manufacturer of innovative solutions used to help connect people to the necessities of life, manage precious natural resources, and feed and fuel the world. Vermeer products are used in applications ranging from underground utility infrastructure development, to non-blast surface mining, solar field installation, waste material processing, and agricultural mechanization.
Colm served as AmCham China Chairman in 2022 and 2023, and previously held five Board terms, including four as Vice Chairman. He led the 2019 Long-Term Strategy Task Force and received the Chairman’s Service Award for his contributions.
He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in East Asian Studies from Brown University, and serves on the Yale University Asia Development Council and the Yale SOM Greater China Advisory Board.
With over two decades of experience working for U.S. businesses in China, Colm remains deeply committed to advancing the American business community’s interests in China.