Craig Lesser

Craig Lesser is a Managing Director and the head of a newly formed international public affairs initiative within the firm’s government affairs practice. His primary focus is on expanding the firm’s presence abroad and interfacing with international businesses operating in the United States.

Prior to joining McKenna Long & Aldridge, Craig served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. He was appointed to his post by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2004. In this role, he led efforts to recruit new business to Georgia from around the nation and internationally. He was integral in-the development of Hemisphere Inc., a public-private partnership created to attract the Free Trade Areas of the Americas Secretariat. As a result of this initiative, five Latin American nations opened consulates in Atlanta and many new business relationships were forged between Western Hemisphere nations and Georgia. Craig also oversaw the expansion of Georgia’s international presence with the opening of state offices in Chile, Brazil, China and France. In addition, Craig’s responsibilities included oversight of the state’s small business and entrepreneur programs, efforts to grow existing business as well as marketing Georgia as an ideal destination for filmmakers, the music industry and multi-media companies.

Prior to his gubernatorial appointment, Craig served as Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Georgia Power Company; President & CEO of Mirant New York; and Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Mirant Americas. He was also a partner in a public affairs consulting firm.

Craig received his B.A. from the State University of New York College at Oneonta and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business, Leadership Georgia and the Regional Leadership Institute.

JAMES Magazine recently named Craig as one of Georgia's Most Influential People in its 2007 annual listing.

*Non-Attorney Professional