Former US Ambassador to Romania starts new organization to foster US/Romania relations

Former US Ambassador to Romania Mark Gitenstein has co-founded a new US/Romania organization, Alianta, that aims to “strengthen public awareness of the special relationship between the two nations.” There will also be some more practical activities carried out by the new organization, such as supporting the visa waiver program. Gitenstein co-founded Alianta with Dan Dimancescu, Honorary Consul of Romania in Boston, and the organization held its first meeting a week ago at at the Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C (in picture). Adrian Vierita, Romanian Ambassador to the United States, is an honorary member of the group, while the following are charter members: Dana Beldiman, Honorary Consul of Romania in San Francisco, Mike Carroll, Photographer and Founder of Romanian Children's Relief Fund, Chris Fontanesi, ex-Peace Corps, Ernest Latham, Historian and ex-State Department, Don Lothrop, Businessman and Venture Capitalist, James Rosapepe, ex-Ambassador, Sheila Rosapepe, National Public Radio (Baltimore). Gitenstein sees one of Alianta's goals in bringing together of young people to effect change. “The message is not that you must do it, but that you can do it,” said Mark Gitenstein, adding, “there is no reason why we can’t tell a story of inspiration to inspire change.” Mark Gitenstein served as US Ambassador to Romania after President Barack Obama nominated him in June, 2009. He was also on the advisory board for president-elect Obama's presidential transition team. On December 14, 2012, he completed his diplomatic assignment and returned to his legal career in the United States as a Special Counsel with Mayer Brown LLP in Washington, D.C. Dan Dimancescu currently serves as Honorary Consul of Romania in Boston. His management consultancy career has included working for Fortune 500 hi-tech companies, teaching appointments and lectureships at Dartmouth College (engineering and business), Boston University (business), and the Institute for Man & Technology in France. He has also written for National Geographic Magazine expedition-stories and recently co-founded a documentary film company in Boston. Visit Alianta's website and to keep an eye on the organization's upcoming events and programs. editor@romania-insider.com