Jay Harriman

Jay brings two decades of experience providing high-level government relations and public policy support to Fortune 100 companies and leading private investment groups doing business in Southeast Asia. An expert in the intersection of government and the private sector, he currently serves as co-chair of the Government Affairs Council at the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. 

Jay joined BGA after having led the first nationwide rollout of telecommunications tower infrastructure in Myanmar by foreign companies. As a project director for Pan Asia Tower, which built more than 1,200 towers across Myanmar, Jay spearheaded the company’s legal department and handled government and regulatory affairs with local, state and national authorities. He conducted due diligence and compliance on local contractors and maintained key relationships with clients and financial stakeholders.  

Prior to working in Myanmar, Jay served as a political and business advisor for prominent private investment groups and international companies with operations in Southeast Asia. He provided critical on-the-ground management support and intelligence for client projects in Bangkok and Jakarta. During this time, Jay covered a wide range of industry sectors including energy, telecommunications, healthcare, consumer goods, banking and special situations investments. 

Jay received a master’s degree in international relations from the University of California, San Diego, where he specialized in Southeast Asian affairs and Thai and Mandarin Chinese languages. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia State University. Jay and his wife live in Bangkok with their two children. 

• Prior Professional Experience
  • Senior Director, BowerGroupAsia (Dec 2016-Present)
  • Government and Regulatory Affairs Director, Pan Asia Tower (Dec 2013-Oct 2016)
  • Investments Advisor, KBC Asia (May 2011-Dec 2013)
  • Regional Analyst, BrooksBowerAsia (Jun 2010-May 2011)
• Areas of Expertise

  Geographic

  • APEC
  • ASEAN
  • Thailand

  Industries

  • Consulting
  • Government Affairs
  • Private Equity
  • Telecommunications

  Functional Expertise

  • Government Affairs
• Education
  • University of California, San Diego (2007)— International Affairs and Pacific Studies
  • Thammasat University (2003)— Thai Studies Program
  • Georgia State University (2000)— Political Science, International Affairs
• Professional Affiliations
  • Volunteer, Miriam’s Kitchen
  • Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity