Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson

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David A. Sampson was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department on July 27, 2005. As the Department’s chief operating officer he manages a $6.5 billion budget and 38,000 employees in 13 operating units. He is also a member of President Bush’s Management Council and a member of the Board of Directors for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Sampson is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an agency with one of the broadest portfolios in federal government. The Commerce Department’s responsibilities include promoting U.S. exports, negotiating and enforcing international trade agreements and regulating sensitive goods and technology exports. It is the nation’s steward of the oceans and coastal marine resources; chief weather forecaster and climate researcher; and the lead policy agency on technology, telecommunications, and federal radio frequencies.

In addition, Commerce bureaus conduct the national census; track the economy and release regular updates; issue patents and trademarks; develop and apply technology, measurements, and industrial standards; promote economic growth in distressed communities; and encourage minority business development.

Previously, Dr. Sampson served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and managed the Economic Development Administration’s $400 million budget and $2.5 billion portfolio of federal economic grants and loans. EDA is the federal government’s lead agency for promoting regional economic growth and competitiveness.

Results-based government is a priority for Deputy Secretary Sampson. In challenging the Department to meet or exceed the performance based standards set by the President’s Management Agenda, the Secretary will leave a well-managed agency for future Administrations and the American taxpayer.

Prior to joining the Bush Administration in August 2001, Sampson worked in both the public and private sectors. Gov. George W. Bush appointed him chair of the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness where he was in charge of strategic planning and performance evaluation for the $2.5 billion Texas Workforce Development System comprised of seven state agencies. He also served as Vice Chair of the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission in Gov. Bush’s Administration. Before public service, Sampson was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arlington, Texas Chamber of Commerce.

Sampson is a graduate of David Lipscomb University and earned his doctorate at Abilene Christian University. He completed the Program for Senior Executives at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1999. He and his family reside in Northern Virginia.