[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52911-52912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20723]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
District Export Council Nomination Opportunity
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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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. Commercial Service (USCS),
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 December
15, 2025.
ADDRESSES: 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Barmby, National DEC Liaison,
USCS, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,
321-274-3277, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: District Export Councils support the mission
of USCS 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 USCS, 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
[[Page 52912]]
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.
I. 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 runs through December 31, 2029.
The online application form is available at https://app.keysurvey.com/f/41778657/10a4/.
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; and
if appointed, to sharing of their contact information with other DEC
members, 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.
II. 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.
III. 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 dynamics of the local
business community, encompass a broad range of business 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 USCS 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 USCS 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 USCS
Office 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, United States Department of
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2025-20723 Filed 11-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P