Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Names Mills As New Public Affairs Director

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez today announced that E. Richard Mills will join his staff as the Department’s new Public Affairs Director, overseeing the Secretary’s communications and the communications of the thirteen agencies within the Department.

"From enforcing trade agreements to promoting exports to helping the American economy weather hurricanes, the Commerce Department plays an important role in boosting the U.S. economy, and I’m very pleased that Rich Mills will be our new Public Affairs Director," said Gutierrez. "Rich’s many years of communications experience across the Administration and Congress will serve us well as we continue to promote the President’s pro-growth, pro-jobs prosperity agenda."

Most recently, Mr. Mills served as a Senior Advisor to Robert B. Zoellick, the Deputy Secretary of State. In this capacity, he provided the Deputy with tactical and strategic communications and public diplomacy advice on a broad range of issues, including U.S.-China relations and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

From April 2001 to August 2005, Mr. Mills worked at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where he most recently served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public and Media Affairs.

Prior to joining USTR in April 2001, Mr. Mills worked for close to 10 years on Capitol Hill, gaining broad communications and issue experience. From January 1999 to April 2001, he was the Communications Director for the House Rules Committee and its Chairman, David Dreier (R-CA), a member of the House Republican Leadership.

From May 1995 through December 1998, Mr. Mills served as the press secretary and spokesman for the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and its Chairman, U.S. Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato (R-NY).

Mr. Mills began his Capitol Hill service in January 1992 with Senator D’Amato, beginning as an intern and moving up into various positions. From March of 1994 to May 1995, he was D’Amato's deputy press secretary, developing experience within the highly competitive New York media environment.

A 1991 graduate of Ithaca College in New York with a degree in Politics, Mr. Mills holds a Master’s degree from American University in Public Communications.