[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38282-38283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16741]


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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 on the Central California District Export 
Council.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of 
individuals for consideration for up to 35 appointments by the 
Secretary of Commerce to serve as members of a new Central California 
District Export Council (CenCal DEC). The CenCal DEC is closely 
affiliated with the Fresno and Bakersfield U.S. Export Assistance 
Centers (USEACs) of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS),

[[Page 38283]]

and will play a key role in the planning and coordination of export 
activities in Central California communities. 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 which 
includes the counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, 
Merced, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, and 
surrounding areas.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. PDT on August 17, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Contact Glen Roberts, the Director of the Fresno USEAC at 
(559) 348-9859 or [email protected] for information on how to 
submit your nomination on-line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Glen Roberts, the 
Director of the Fresno USEAC at (559) 348-9859 or 
[email protected] for more information on the CenCal DEC and the 
nomination process. For general program information, contact Laura 
Barmby, National DEC Liaison, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, 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 
appointed to staggered four-year terms. Because the CenCal DEC will be 
a new DEC, up to 17 members will be appointed from the date of 
appointment until December 31, 2019, and up to 18 individuals will be 
appointed from the date of appointment until December 31, 2021. All 
potential nominees must complete an online nomination form and consent, 
if appointed, to sharing of their contact information with the National 
Association of District Export Councils; trade and industry 
associations; and with Federal, State, and local government agencies 
with an interest in trade.
    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 Fresno USEAC Director for 
consideration. The Fresno USEAC Director ensures that all nominees meet 
the membership criteria outlined below. The Fresno USEAC Director then 
evaluates all nominations to determine their interest, commitment, and 
qualifications. In reviewing nominations, the Fresno 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.
    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. A candidate's background 
and character are pertinent to determining suitability and eligibility 
for DEC membership. Since DEC appointments are made by 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.

Anthony Diaz,
Program Analyst, Global Markets, International Trade Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-16741 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P