The US Trade Representative recently announced the reorganization of several key offices and the appointment of a number of senior-level officials. Of particular note, the Office of Industry and Communications, which Assistant USTR Flori Liser heads, will now have the lead for negotiating bilateral and multilateral market access for goods. Sarah Sipkins and Paul Moore will be joining the office to assist with these functions. The Office of the Americas is being reorganized to facilitate US co-chair responsibilities in the FTAA negotiations. John Melle will be the new Deputy Assistant USTR for North America. Karen Lezny will be the new Deputy Assistant USTR for the FTAA. A new Office of South Asian Affairs has been created that will cover India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. USTR also announced several other appointments and promotions as part of the reorganization. They include:
Brian Gunderson most recently served as chief of staff to House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), who is retiring. As Mr. Armey's top aide from 2000 to the present, he helped the House Republican legislative agenda, including the passage in the House last December of Trade Promotion Authority.
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