June 17, 2008
News Release 08-059
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

President George W. Bush has designated Daniel R. Pearson, a Republican of Minnesota, as Vice Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) for the term June 17, 2008, through June 16, 2010.

Vice Chairman Pearson was nominated to the U.S. International Trade Commission by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 21, 2004, for the term ending June 16, 2011. He began serving as a Commissioner on October 8, 2003, under a recess appointment. He served as Chairman for the term June 17, 2006, through June 16, 2008. President Bush designated him Vice Chairman for the term June 17, 2008, through June 16, 2010.

Prior to his appointment, Vice Chairman Pearson was Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for Cargill, Inc., in Minneapolis, MN. His work focused primarily on trade policy issues, including the World Trade Organization agricultural negotiations, the efforts of China and other countries to join the WTO, the global "level playing field" initiative for the oilseed sector, the U.S.-Mexico sweetener dispute, and the effects of domestic agricultural policies on U.S. competitiveness. Before his appointment to Assistant Vice President, he served as a policy analyst in the public affairs department from 1987 to 1998.

From 1981 to 1987, Vice Chairman Pearson was the agricultural legislative assistant to Senator Rudy Boschwitz in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for legislative and regulatory issues under the jurisdiction of the Senate Agricultural Committee. He also served as staff of the Subcommittee on Foreign Agricultural Policy, chaired by Senator Boschwitz.

From 1979 to 1980, Vice Chairman Pearson farmed in a diversified 800-acre operation with his father and brother in Ogilvie, Minnesota. His extensive experience encompasses both trade-related matters and hands-on agricultural work.

Vice Chairman Pearson holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree, both in agricultural economics, from the University of Minnesota. He resides in Oakton, Virginia, with his wife, Cindy, and two children.

The ITC is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement. Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for nine-year terms, unless they are appointed to fill unexpired terms. The Chairman and the Vice Chairman are designated by the President for two-year terms in those positions.