WASHINGTON, D.C. | July 19, 2022 – The Asia Group (TAG) is excited to announce two new milestones as we continue to expand and strengthen our world-class services and talent helping our clients succeed in the Indo-Pacific. We are delighted to welcome Christopher B. Johnstone as a new TAG Senior Advisor. Until recently, Chris served as the National Security Council (NSC) Director for East Asia, a critical role that drew on his two decades of experience leading the U.S. government’s Indo-Pacific security and defense strategy and programs. TAG is also pleased to announce that Colonel (ret.) Trey Meeks will become a TAG Managing Principal, recognizing Trey’s outstanding record leading large organizations and his significant impact on over USD 20 billion in aerospace and defense captures for Indo-Pacific markets, driving client success across the region.
“Few people can match the unique and exceptional experience that Chris Johnstone brings to The Asia Group on Japan, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia and South Asia across foreign policy, national security and defense,” said TAG President Rexon Ryu. “I have also been honored to work alongside Trey Meeks for the last five years as he has delivered success, time and again, for clients in Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, India and beyond. Together, today’s announcements demonstrate once again why The Asia Group will remain the premier strategic advisory firm for clients focused on the Indo-Pacific.”
Chris Johnstone brings over 25 years of government experience in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific. He served under two U.S. presidents on the National Security Council, from 2014-2016 and 2021-2022. In the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Johnstone led offices responsible for South and Southeast Asia from 2017-2021; East Asia from 2016-2017; and Northeast Asia from 2010-2014. Johnstone is renowned as a top U.S. expert on defense, trade, technology, and is well-equipped to advise corporations on the risks and opportunities of business in Asia. In addition to his role as TAG Senior Advisor, Johnstone serves as Senior Advisor and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Colonel Trey Meeks draws from nearly three decades of U.S. Air Force experience and over three thousand flight hours, most recently serving as the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, where he oversaw defense sales, military cooperation activities, and navigated technology transfer policy issues. During his career, Trey developed an extensive network of relationships throughout the Asia-Pacific and National Capital regions to provide layered context, elevate client engagements, negotiate and solve complex issues, and drive the right capability sets for clients, partner nations, and U.S. interests. Alongside his expanded role as TAG’s Managing Principal, Trey serves as a Senior Defense Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
The Asia Group is the premier strategic advisory firm to the world’s leading companies seeking to excel across the Indo-Pacific. With a team of dynamic and experienced professionals – from consultants and former senior government officials to lawyers and investment bankers – The Asia Group supports companies with end-to-end integrated strategies for market entry and expansion.