[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27235-27236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12250]


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 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


District Export Council Nomination Opportunity

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for appointment to serve as a District 
Export Council member.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of 
individuals for consideration for appointment by the Secretary of 
Commerce to serve as members of one of the 60 District Export Councils 
(DECs) nationwide. DECs are closely affiliated with the U.S. Export 
Assistance Centers (USEACs) of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service 
(US&FCS), and play a key role in the planning and coordination of 
export activities in their communities.

DATES: Nominations for individuals to a DEC must be received by the 
local USEAC Director by 5:00 p.m. local time on July 28, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the Director of your 
local USEAC for more information on DECs and the nomination process. 
You may identify your local USEAC by entering your zip code online at 
http://export.gov/usoffices/index.asp. For general program information, 
contact Laura Barmby, National DEC Liaison, US&FCS, at (202) 482-2675.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: District Export Councils support the mission 
of US&FCS by facilitating the development of an effective local export 
assistance network, supporting the expansion of export opportunities 
for local U.S. companies, serving as a communication link between the 
business community and US&FCS, and assisting in coordinating the 
activities of trade assistance partners to leverage available 
resources. Individuals appointed to a DEC become part of a select corps 
of trade experts dedicated to providing international trade leadership 
and guidance to the local business community and assistance to the 
Department of Commerce on export development issues.
    Nomination Process: Each DEC has a maximum membership of 35. 
Approximately half of the positions are open on each DEC for the four-
year term that begins on January 1, 2018, and runs through December 31, 
2021. All potential nominees must complete an online nomination form 
and consent to sharing of the information on that form with the DEC 
Executive Committee for its consideration, and consent, if appointed, 
to sharing of their contact information with other partners.
    Eligibility and Appointment Criteria: Appointment is based upon an 
individual's international trade leadership in the local community, 
ability to influence the local environment for exporting, knowledge of 
day-to-day international operations, interest in export development, 
and willingness and ability to devote time to DEC activities. Members 
must be employed as exporters or export service providers or in a 
profession which supports U.S. export promotion efforts. Members 
include exporters, export service providers and others whose profession 
supports U.S. export promotion efforts. DEC member appointments are 
made without regard to political affiliation. DEC membership is open to 
U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States. As 
representatives of the local exporting community, DEC Members must 
reside in, or conduct the majority of their work in, the territory that 
the DEC covers. DEC membership is not open to federal government 
employees, or individuals representing foreign governments, including 
individuals registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign 
Agents Registration Act.
    Selection Process: Nominations of individuals who have applied for 
DEC membership will be forwarded to the local USEAC Director for the 
respective DEC for that Director's consideration. The local USEAC 
Director ensures that all nominees meet the membership criteria 
outlined below. The local USEAC Director then, in consultation with the 
local DEC Executive Committee, evaluates all nominations to determine 
their interest, commitment, and qualifications. In reviewing 
nominations, the local USEAC Director strives to ensure a balance among 
exporters from a manufacturing or service industry and export service 
providers. A fair representation should be considered from companies 
and organizations that support exporters, representatives of local and 
state government, and trade organizations and associations. Membership 
should reflect the diversity of the local business community, encompass 
a broad range of businesses and industry sectors, and be distributed 
geographically across the DEC service area.
    For current DEC members seeking reappointment, the local USEAC 
Director, in consultation with the DEC Executive Committee, also 
carefully considers the nominee's activity level during the previous 
term and demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively 
with other DEC members and US&FCS staff. As appointees of the Secretary 
of Commerce in high-profile positions, though volunteers, DEC Members 
are expected to actively participate in the DEC and support the work of 
local US&FCS offices. Those that do not support the work of the office 
or do not actively participate in DEC activities will not be considered 
for re-nomination.
    The Executive Secretary determines which nominees to forward to the 
US&FCS Office of U.S. Operations for further consideration for 
recommendation to the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the 
local DEC Executive Committee. A candidate's background and character 
are pertinent to determining suitability and eligibility for DEC 
membership. Since DEC appointments are made by

[[Page 27236]]

the Secretary, the Department must make a suitability determination for 
all DEC nominees. After completion of a vetting process, the Secretary 
selects nominees for appointment to local DECs. DEC members are 
appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512, 15 U.S.C. 4721.

    Dated: June 6, 2017.
Laura Barmby,
District Export Council Program Manager.
[FR Doc. 2017-12250 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P