[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29561-29562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11560]


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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 61 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), which is part of the Global Markets unit within the 
International Trade Administration, 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 31, 2021.

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 professionals dedicated to providing international trade 
leadership and guidance to the local business community and assistance 
to the Department of Commerce on export development issues. DEC members 
are volunteers. DEC members are not special government employees. DEC 
members receive no compensation for their participation in DEC 
activities or reimbursement for travel and other personal expenses.
    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, 2022 and runs through December 31, 
2025. 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 DEC members and 
relevant government agencies and private sector organizations with a 
focus on trade. Interested individuals are highly encouraged to reach 
out to the local USEAC Director to learn more about the DECs and to 
begin the application process as soon as possible. While interested 
individuals can submit applications prior to July 1, 2021, USEAC 
Directors will formally accept nominations from July 1 until July 31, 
2021.
    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. Individuals representing foreign governments, including 
individuals registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign 
Agents Registration Act, must disclose such representation and may be 
disqualified if the Department determines that such representation is 
likely to impact the ability to carry out the duties of a DEC member or 
raise an appearance issue for the Department.
    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. 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.

[[Page 29562]]

    The local USEAC Director, in consultation with the local DEC 
Executive Committee, determines which nominees to forward to the US&FCS 
Office of U.S. Field 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 and 4721.

Laura Barmby,
District Export Council Program Manager.
[FR Doc. 2021-11560 Filed 6-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P