ICC saddened by loss of statesman for business and digital economy Joseph Alhadeff

Conveying sympathies to Mr Alhadeff’s family and friends on behalf of the world business organization, ICC Secretary General John Danilovich described Mr Alhadeff as a man whose remarkable intelligence and sharp sense of humour won him respect and admiration across a broad range of colleagues and interlocutors.

Vice-President for Global Public Policy and Chief Privacy Strategist at Oracle Corporation, Mr Alhadeff was a recognized authority on Internet, electronic commerce and privacy policy issues. He became Chair of the ICC Commission on the Digital Economy in 2013 having served as Vice-Chair since 2003. He also played an influential role in ICC’s Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) ensuring private sector views relating to Internet governance received widespread attention on the international stage.

Eric Loeb, Senior Vice-President, of International External and Regulatory Affairs at AT&T, Chair of the USCIB Information, Communications and Technology Policy Committee, and former Co-Chair of the ICC Task Force on Internet and Telecommunications said: “Joe had a brilliant mind, a tireless drive and a caring disposition.  As a friend, leader and ambassador of private sector views on digital economy policies during the last two decades, Joe has made a lasting and positive difference around the world, improving the policy landscape for all stakeholders.”

Prior to joining Oracle, Mr Alhadeff also played a significant role in the US national committee of ICC, the United States Council for International Business. In more recent years, he held several concurrent leadership roles – including as Chair of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Digital Economy Policy Committee and the OECD Working Party on Security and Privacy as well as chairing the Digital Economy Committee for the US India Business Council.

Christiaan van der Valk, Vice Chair of the ICC Digital Economy Commission and President and Co-founder of TrustWeaver (Sweden) said: “Joe had a rare ability to bring people with diverse views together. He did this by conveying eloquently and passionately the things he believed would work for broader benefit.”

Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud, Senior Policy Executive of the ICC Digital Economy Commission and Director of the ICC BASIS initiative said: “Working with Joe drew me to this role. He was not just a seasoned and skilled professional, he was visionary and audacious. He was loyal and supportive to our team, our work, the people and the goals we had for BASIS and the Digital Economy Commission. The biggest challenge was how in-demand he was. Whether it was representing ICC members during the IANA transition; mediating differences in sector or geographic viewpoints; or shaping the view of many towards a future-oriented, pragmatic vision on digital economy that could serve global but also local policy concerns, Joe listened, considered and contributed missing pieces to the puzzle – the answer is: Joe made a lasting mark.”

Joe passed away on 27 May 2017. He will be greatly missed by many worldwide.