Mike Smith Appointed to ITAC by Secretary of Commerce
Check out our latest news: Mike is balancing his leadership at MSPA with a new appointment to ITAC!
Mike Smith Appointed to ITAC by Secretary of Commerce
And US Trade Representative for Information & Communications Tech
Reston Public Affairs Exec to Support U.S. Trade Policy
Washington, DC – May 17 – Mike Smith, CEO of Reston-based Public Affairs Agency MSPA, Inc., has been appointed to a 4-year Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) by the Obama Administration. Smith served as a press and advance volunteer for President Obama’s Campaign for 18 months in key primary states Iowa, Texas and Virginia.
Mike on the Obama campaign trail
The ITAC political appointment by Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, is to “pursue trade objectives that reflect the private sector’s concerns and interests.” Smith was nominated by the Northern Virginia Technology Council where he has served as Board Secretary and Vice Chairman of the NVTC Foundation.
According to its federal charter: The Industry Trade Advisory Council is comprised of citizens with industry knowledge “providing detailed policy and technical advice, information and recommendations to the Secretary and the USTR regarding trade barriers, negotiation on trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements.”
Smith previously was Director of Public Affairs for the National Association of Manufacturers working closely with Commerce on international trade issues, NAFTA and global technology. His appointment is to the Information and Communications Technologies, Services and Electronic Commerce advisory group. The ITAC is chaired by Jacquelynn Ruff, vice president of public policy for Verizon with Greg Slater, director of global trade and competition policy from Intel serving as vice chair.
Prior to starting Mike Smith Public Affairs, Smith has also worked as an EVP with a division of Nielsen, Inc. He has also been a long-time PR executive with global PR agencies Burson-Marsteller, Edelman Worldwide and Euro RSCG.
Smith lives in Centreville, Virginia with his wife and two teenaged-children.
