Hard Rock International announced Monday that it has named Ado Machida, a former senior White House official who led the policy implementation department of President Donald Trump’s presidential transition team, as president of Hard Rock Japan.
Machida is an attorney and strategic consultant who served under the Senate majority leader during the Clinton administration and then served as chief policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney in the White House during the presidency of George W. Bush. A supporter of President Trump, Machida played a central role during the presidential campaign and post-election transition in translating President Trump’s campaign promises into executive orders, presidential memoranda, and Cabinet-level actions that were issued by the current president during the initial months of his presidency.
A consummate diplomat, Machida also bridged the divide between the Republican establishment, where he had served for decades as a significant player, and the GOP base, including the nationalist and populist constituencies that President Trump has successfully brought into Republican ranks.
Given his diplomatic skills and public service, Machida was talked up as a potential U.S. ambassador to Japan, but instead has been working as a management consultant in Washington, DC, since completing his work helping the 45th president transition into office. He has been actively involved in placing people in the Trump administration and assisting the administration’s efforts from the outside. Now he will be leading an iconic American brand in Japan.
Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allensaid said in the announcement:
Ado is well versed in foreign affairs and has specialized in international law, finance, business development, and team building. He will play a key role in leading Hard Rock Japan’s expansion efforts in developing a new luxurious Japanese Integrated Resort focused on offering the best overall entertainment and amenities for family and friends to experience. I am pleased to welcome Ado Machida to the Hard Rock family.
Hard Rock International operates in 74 nations, including cafes, resorts, and hotels. Hard Rock has offices in Tokyo and Hokkaido in Japan.
Machida is the son of Japanese immigrants,and attended Columbia University, Kyoto University in Japan, New York University School of Law, and Harvard Business School. He and his wife have six children.
Ken Klukowski is senior legal editor for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @kenklukowski.