In contrast to the Treasury Department's flurry of staffing announcements, the Commerce Department quietly updated its website this week, detailing the staff incoming BIS Chief Jeffrey Kessler will rely on to ensure trade security.
The appointment of James Rokas as Mr. Kessler's principal deputy has been thrown into doubt, as Chief of Staff Robert Burkett has replaced Mr. Rokas as acting undersecretary.
Office of the Under Secretary
• Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary: Robert Burkett
For information on Jeffrey Kessler's nomination, see [Story]
• Deputy Under Secretary: James Rockas
Rockas served during the first Trump administration as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, as well as the Deputy Director of Policy & Strategic Planning and lead spokesman for the Commerce Department. Rockas later also served as Senior Advisor, Chief Policy Officer, and Deputy Chief Marketing Officer in the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Energy, and the Environment. Before his work in the Executive branch, he was a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, and worked on multiple political campaigns. Until his recent appointment, Rockas was the Director of Strategy and Global Government Affairs at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and Executive Director of ACLJ Action.
• Director of Legislative Affairs: Joe Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett joined BIS in January, following work for the House Armed Services Committee, Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Francis Rooney (R-FL), John Kline (R-MN), several Washington think tanks and Skydio, an autonomous drone maker.
• Chief of Staff: Robert Burkett
Mr. Burkett most recently worked as Chief of Staff for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). During the first Trump administration he served in political roles at the Commerce and Labor Departments.
• Chief Financial Officer and Director of Administration: Keven Valentin
Mr. Valentin has been with BIS for 7-1/2 years and has been CFO since December 2021
• Chief Information Officer: Angela Vicinanza
Ms.Vicinanza jointed BIS in April 2024, following 9-1/2 years with the FBI.
• Chief Counsel for Industry and Security: Nate Swinton
Mr. Swinton assumed the Chief Counsel role in December 2024, following a 14 year career with Justice, most recently as Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, until recently Matt Olsen.
Export Administration
• Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration: Kevin Kurland
Thea D. Rozman Kendler's replacement has not yet been named.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Trade and Technology Security: Kevin Kurland
Mr. Kurland's previous roles include Deputy Chief of Staff-Policy for the Under Secretary for Industry and Security (2019-2021) and Director of the Office of Enforcement Analysis (2011-2021). He was also a member of the White House Task Force on Export Control Reform (2009-2017)
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Trade: Julia Khersonsky
A 14 year veteran of the State Departement, Ms. Khersonsky has been in this role for eight months.
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Security: Eric Longnecker
Mr Longnecker has been with BIS for more than two decades, with extensive experience across the Bureau. His retention should be a key goal for the new Under Secretary.
• Chief of Staff: Philip Johnson
No information is available, though in the past a Philip Johnson had been part of the team in Export Enforcement.
• Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement: John Sonderman
No announcement has been made as to a permanent Enforcement Chief. Former Assistant Secretary for Enforcement Matt Axelrod has joined Gibson Dunn to co-chair a new Sanctions and Export Enforcement Practice Group.
• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement: John Sonderman
Mr. Sonderman directs the Office of Export Enforcement, supervising investigative and national security programs. He has been with BIS since 1997 and previously worked for the Office of Defense Trade Controls at the U.S. Department of State.
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• Chief of Staff: Molly Braese
Molly Braese supports the Assistant Secretary by managing staff activities and ensuring alignment with enforcement priorities. She previously served as the Director for Transnational Organized Crime at the National Security Council and held various roles in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice.
• Executive Director for Information and Communications Technology and Services: Elizabeth Cannon and Chief of Staff Virginia Clark
Both Cannon and Clark have been with the OICTS since its formation a year ago.
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