Your Trade Policy & Legislative Affairs Committee
The mission of the Trade Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee is to identify, support, and promote the trade policies of the U.S. that will result in an increase in U.S. exports, enhancement of the competitive position of U.S. exporters, and improvement in the U.S. balance of trade. In addition, this committee’s mission includes identification, supports and advocacy of key trade legislative issues which impact American exporters (particularly small to medium-sized exporters), the U.S. export competitive position, the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the legislative activities of the local DECs.
These trade legislative issues include matters such as free trade agreements and federal government exporter assistance programs, including, for example, US&FCS Gold Key programs and U.S. Export-Import Bank export financing programs. Trade Policy and Legilative Affairs Committee also identifies foreign trade barriers that hinder U.S. exporters and exports, as well as the U.S. legislative and regulatory policies that are disincentives to exporting. While performing its tasks Trade Policy and Legislative Affairs committee works together with the Regional Legislative Coordinators who are appointed to coordinate the legislative affairs at eight regional District Export Council networks in the U.S.
Trade Policy and Legislative Affairs committee includes the following sub-committees and working groups:
• Domestic and Americas Sub-committee
• Asia Sub-committee
• Europe Sub-committee
• Middle East and Africa Sub-committee
• Global Investment in America Sub-committee
Current Position Papers
Revitalizing the Commercial Service to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Businesses
Politico Weekly Trade, April 10, 2023: NADEC President, Jonathan Szucs, on the need for more Commercial Service Officers
National DEC Members Serving on the Trade Policy & Legislative Affairs Committee
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/David-Day-Headshot--150x150.jpg)
David Day
Co-Chair, pacific south representative
Chairman, Global Risk Mitigation Foundation
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3928-150x150.jpeg)
Luke lindberg
Co-Chair, midwest representative
Principal, E Pluribus Unum
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Mark-J-Ballam-1-headshot-2021-150x150.jpg)
Mark Ballam
Associate
Managing Director, Wendy Gillespie Center for Advancing Global Business, San Diego State University
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Brown-150x150.jpg)
Robert Brown
advisory board
Senior Attorney, Lynch Cox Gillman & Goodman
![ANNE BURKETT](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/I07A6246-scaled-e1633018411235-150x150.jpg)
Anne burkett
southern representative, vice chair
Executive Director, North Alabama International Trade Association
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Elizabeth-Chan-headshot-150x150.jpeg)
Dr. Elizabeth Chan
CEO, Global Risk Mitigation Foundation
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DSC_3800--150x150.jpg)
W.E. DaCruz
At-Large Representative
Cofounder, The VGC Group and the Mushroom Angel Co
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Tom-Dustman-1-150x150.jpg)
Tom Dustman
Midwest representative
International Sales Director, Sunnen Products Company
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/grana-150x150.jpg)
Richard Grana
advisory board
President, IMPEX
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NickGrooter-150x150.jpg)
Nick Grooters
advisory board
Director of International Sales & Hobby Sales, Super Glue Corporation
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Peter-Jones-01-150x150.jpg)
Peter Jones
Global Vice President, SmartMatic
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/natelamar-150x150.jpg)
Nate LaMar
Advisory Board
Director of International Sales, Batesville Services LLC
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Fred-Latuperissa-150x150.jpg)
FRED LATUPERISSA
Pacific south representative
President, EXIM 20/20
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Mariano-Parlato-PRDEC-150x150.jpg)
mariano parlato
associate
Project Manager, True North Corporation
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/renner-150x150.jpg)
Sandy Renner
Associate
Chair of the Board, FasTrack Global Expansion Solutions Inc.
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/saylor-e1666991686735.jpg)
john saylor
Associate
Deputy Director, International Trade Group, Commonwealth Trading Partners, Inc.
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/stirling-e1521658613708-145x150.jpg)
Susanne Stirling
Associate
Vice President, International Affairs, California Chamber of Commerce
![JONATHAN SZUCS](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/jonathan-150x150.jpg)
Jonathan Szucs
Chair
General Manager, Advanced Superabrasives, Inc
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Urszula-150x150.jpg)
Urszula Wojciechowska
at-large member, communications officer
Ambassador, Coalition of New England Companies for Trade
![](https://www.usaexporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/karen-wyman-e1666989092426.png)
karen wyman
northeast representative, secretary
Senior Manager, Global Export Licensing, Teledyne FLIR