For Immediate Release: April 28, 2010
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
ITA Staffs Up to Execute the National Export Initiative
NEI Director Named
WASHINGTON – In support of President Obama’s goal to double exports during the next five years and support 2 million American jobs, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) today announced the creation of a new position to coordinate and direct the department’s efforts to fulfill the president’s initiative.
Courtney Gregoire, who was formerly the Director of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, assumed her new role as the Director for the National Export Initiative (NEI) at ITA on April 26.
Commerce, in large part through the ITA, is charged with helping to meet the president’s exports goals, and under the NEI, it is slated to ramp up export assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses and increase its focus on emerging markets and emerging sectors.
“Having a talented person like Courtney coordinating our efforts at ITA will be critical to the successful implementation of the NEI,” Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, said. “Increasing exports and creating good jobs here in America is a top priority for President Obama. With Courtney taking on this new position, ITA will have the leadership and skills necessary to achieve the goals set out by this initiative.”
Before joining the Obama administration, Gregoire served as Legislative Director and Chief Council for Senator Maria Cantwell. She also previously served as policy assistant with the Domestic Policy Council in the Clinton White House. She began her career at K & L Gates counseling international companies on legislative and regulatory matters.
Gregoire graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Willamette University and received her law degree from Harvard Law School.
“I am excited about the progress we are making at ITA and I look forward to accomplishing all that still needs to be done,” Sánchez said. “Having Courtney on board will be extremely beneficial and I am glad to welcome her.”
In the past few weeks, ITA created this important new role, finalized a strategic plan to operationalize the goals of the NEI, and launched the redesign of its Web site, www.trade.gov, to become more accessible to the public.
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International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.