William Standley Stokes, IV, founder and chairman of the Washington Network Group (WNG), a D.C.-based organization of senior-level executives and professionals from the private, public and independent sectors, has died.  He was 57.

According to an obituary: “Stokes was considered a brilliant critical thinker and spoke German well enough to get himself into serious trouble. He launched his career in Washington, working at think tanks that eventually led him into business consulting. Over the years he worked with a number of U.S. and international clients to address their business, human resources and leadership needs.

“The WNG membership includes leaders in companies, professional service firms, associations, and nonprofit organizations, multilateral institutions, the Congress, government agencies, foreign embassies, and the media.

“He also served as a leadership development coach and mentor to numerous organizations, including the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator, the Founder Institute, Accelerate Athens, and the Exonian Mentors program of Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader and a past BMW Trans-Atlantic Forum (TAF) Fellow. Additionally, he served as a Professional Networks Leader for the College of William & Mary.

“Mr. Stokes is a past board member of the George C. Marshall International Center (GCMIC), the World Affairs Council of Washington (executive committee), the Phillips Exeter Academy Alumni Association of Washington (president), and The Hill School Alumni Association (president). He was a founding member of First Tuesday Washington, RecruitDC, and the International Business Council of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of directors of the German-American Business Association (GABA) and was director of the Manfred-Woerner-Seminar for German-American understanding, a leading transatlantic exchange program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.”

More here.