WASHINGTON - United States Trade Representative Rob Portman today announced an addition to the senior staff at USTR. Everett Eissenstat begins on January 17, 2006.

"Everett Eissenstat brings a wealth of trade know-how to this position both from the legislative and executive branches," said Ambassador Portman. "As we pursue important priorities in the Western Hemisphere, he will help lead our efforts. We welcome him to the USTR team."

Everett Eissenstat - Assistant USTR for the Americas

Mr. Eissenstat will be responsible for developing and implementing U.S. trade policy in the Americas.

Before joining USTR, Eissenstat served as the Chief International Trade Counsel to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) where he advised the Chairman on all international trade matters before the Committee and coordinated the international trade work of the Finance Committee Republicans. His legislative responsibilities included Trade Promotion Authority, implementation of free trade agreements, preferential trade arrangements, and sanctions policy. He was also responsible for the oversight of U.S. government international trade agencies.

Before joining the Committee, Eissenstat was the Legislative Director to Congressman Jim Kolbe (R AZ), where he advised the Congressman on international trade matters, appropriations and foreign affairs. Previously, he worked as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Western Hemisphere at the Office of the USTR. From 1994 to 1995 he was employed as an attorney with the law firm of Dixon and Dixon in Dallas, Texas, where he practiced commercial and customs litigation for the firm. Eissenstat also served as a member of the 2000 Presidential Transition Team for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Import Administration, and the International Trade Commission.

Eissenstat received his juris doctorate cum laude from the University of Oklahoma where he also served as Research Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review. He also earned a M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. in Political Science and Spanish from Oklahoma State University. Eissenstat resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Janet and son Jacob.

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