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HKIS Press Release

For Immediate Release, April, 06, 2005
Press contact: James Manning, Communications Manager
Tel: 3149-7246 E-mail: jmanning@hkis.edu.hk


Former U.S. Consul General to Head HKIS

Hong Kong―The Hong Kong International School (HKIS) is pleased to announce that Richard W. Mueller will take over as its Head of School this summer.

The HKIS Board chose Mr. Mueller, after a careful search process, because of his leadership skills, passion for HKIS and its mission, strong familiarity with Hong Kong, China and Asia, and his ability to set ambitious goals and achieve them through a collaborative working style.

“We are confident Mr. Mueller will bring the leadership and enthusiasm to lift HKIS to the next level of excellence,” said Douglas Henck, chairman of HKIS’s Board of Managers.

“The school is also fortunate to have the ongoing work and support of our interim Head of School Jim Handrich, who will be working closely with Richard,”

Since 1998, Mr. Mueller has been Head of School of Northfield Mount Hermon School, a well-known college preparatory boarding school in Northfield, Massachusetts. He became President of the school in 2004.

Northfield Mount Hermon has 1,155 students of many different nationalities. During his time at the school, Mr. Mueller became intimately familiar with the educational needs of young people. His leadership style emphasized the importance of collaboration within the school community and helped to lead the school through a strategic planning process that established a new vision for the 125-year old school.

Prior to this position, Mr. Mueller was a career diplomat for thirty-two years with the U. S. Department of State. He was the United States Consul General in Hong Kong from 1993-1996 during the formative period leading up to Hong Kong’s reversion to China.

Previously he served in the American Consulate General in Hong Kong from 1983-1986 as chief of the economic section. While on assignments in Washington, D.C. he worked for Secretaries of State George Shultz and James Baker.

Mr. Mueller said it’s an honor to be joining HKIS as Head of School. “I would like to thank the Board of Managers and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for their confidence in me. My wife, Claire, and I are delighted to be returning to Hong Kong.

“Our family has had a strong connection with HKIS since 1983 when our sons attended elementary school. Two tours of service on HKIS’s Board of Managers taught me much about the clear and compelling mission of the school and the unique education students receive in this cosmopolitan city,” he said.

Serving on HKIS’s Board, Mr. Mueller participated in the studies and decision-making leading to building the new high school in Tai Tam. From 1997-1998 he chaired the Board of Managers and played a key role in the strategic planning process that refined the school’s mission and established goals still guiding the school today.

Mr. Mueller is married to Claire Mueller who also was career Foreign Service. Their sons, Jonathan and Eric (a 1996 graduate of HKIS), both live and work in California.

Hong Kong International School offers an American-style curriculum in an international setting. Public service and giving back to the community has long been part of the HKIS curriculum.

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