Hernandez Sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Israel Hernandez was sworn in today as Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Department of Commerce by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. The Commercial Service is the federal government's key export promotion agency. Its mission is to help small and medium-sized American businesses export and to advocate for U.S. business interests abroad. The U.S. Senate confirmed Hernandez on October 7, 2005.

"I will be a staunch advocate for small and medium-size U.S. businesses that operate in the global market," Hernandez said. "I will promote an agenda to help companies succeed in exporting, create jobs, and strengthen our economy at home."

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Israel Hernandez served as Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy to Senior Advisor Karl Rove. He assisted Mr. Rove in overseeing the strategic planning, political affairs, public liaison, and intergovernmental affairs efforts of the White House during the President's first term.

Israel Hernandez received a B.A. degree with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science in 1992 from the University of Texas at Austin and a M.P.A. from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in 1999.