[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41376-41377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13518]


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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 will be accepted through Sept 1, 
2023.

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 
https://trade.gov/commercial-service-offices-us. The Director of your 
local USEAC can be identified by clicking the ``Contact Us'' tab. 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. There 
are currently vacancies on every DEC, with approximately half of the 
positions open on each DEC for the four-year term that begins on 
January 1, 2024, and runs through December 31, 2027. The online 
nomination form is available at https://app.keysurvey.com/f/41667817/4d92/. All potential nominees must complete the online nomination form 
linked above 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.
    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

[[Page 41377]]

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 nominees to determine their interest, 
commitment, and qualifications. In reviewing nominees, 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 
business and industry sectors, and be distributed geographically across 
the DEC service area, and where possible, the Department of Commerce 
will also consider the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity and various 
abilities of the United States population.
    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 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. 2023-13518 Filed 6-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P