The International Intellectual Property Alliance hired Pete Mehravari as its director of policy and legal affairs. He came to IIPA from leading the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Global Intellectual Property Academy, and previously worked as an intellectual property attaché at embassies in the Middle East and North Africa. Kevin Rosenbaum, IIPA’s executive director, said, “Pete has been a trusted intellectual property champion with the U.S. government for over a decade, and I am thrilled he is now bringing his international IP policy experience, enthusiasm, and results-based advocacy to IIPA and its members. I look forward to working with him to improve international copyright protection and enforcement and otherwise open foreign markets for the U.S. creative industries.”

International Trade Commission member Rhonda Schmidtlein became chairman of the ITC by operation of law, succeeding outgoing chair David Johnason, whose term expired on June 16, the commission announced. She was nominated to the ITC by President Barack Obama in 2013 and previously served as chairman from 2017 to 2018. Prior to joining the commission, Schmidtlein served as a consultant to the World Bank for two years and worked as the founding director of the Office of International Affairs created to implement the obligations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Laurie-Ann Agama is stepping down from her role as acting assistant U.S. trade representative for textiles and is moving to the job of assistant USTR for economic affairs. Agama, who has a doctorate in economics, has been with USTR for 20 years. The Office of Economic Affairs undertakes economic research and reviews outside research in order to advise USTR on policy. It also supports trade negotiations with analysis.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA named to their newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee Astin Farms' Madison Astin, Bedner Growers' Marie Bedner, Georgia Fruit and Vegetables Growers Association's Chris Butts, A. Duda & Sons' Tracy Duda Champman, Southern Hill Farms' David Hill, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association's Michael Joyner, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas' Lance Jungmeyer, L&M Companies' Adam Lytch, MBG Marketing's Brad Moorer, Florida Strawberry Growers Association's Kenneth Parker and the Florida Farm Bureau's Jeb Smith.

John Leonard, former deputy executive assistant commissioner at CBP, has joined Kim & Chang in the international trade and customs practice in South Korea, he announced on LinkedIn. Leonard worked at CBP for nearly 18 years, holding a variety of positions, most recently deputy executive assistant commissioner of CBP's Office of Trade.

Africa Bell was sworn in as the new port director for the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport on May 23. CBP said in a May 24 news release. The agency said Bell will oversee the international cargo and cruise ship operations and agricultural compliance. She previously directed CBP's Base Metals Center of Excellence and Expertise in Chicago.

Former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas, who led the committee when the major tax cuts were written and passed during the Trump administration, is joining Akin's lobbying practice. Brian Pomper, former chief international trade counsel when Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., led the committee, now is co-lead of the lobbying practice. He said: "With the novel USMCA review process starting in earnest next year and the need to navigate difficult trade issues like the Section 301 tariffs on China, Brady’s distinguished career at the forefront of shaping trade policy will bring unparalleled perspective and insight to our clients at a critical time.”

The Senate on May 14 retroactively confirmed the ongoing terms of Daniel Maffei as chair of the Federal Maritime Commission and Rebecca Dye as FMC commissioner. Maffei's term expires June 2027 and Dye's term expires June 2025. Neither FMC official had their appointment confirmed by the Senate at the beginning of their current terms.

John Verbeten is leaving his role as deputy director for import operations enforcement at FDA’s Office of Enforcement and Import Operations to head to the same agency’s Center for Tobacco Products, the FDA said May 13. Verbeten will direct the center’s office of compliance and enforcement. There “will be a series” of acting officials in Verbeten’s former position “while we recruit, hire and onboard a permanent replacement,” an FDA spokesperson told us. “We hope to finish that process as quickly as possible but cannot provide a definitive timeline.”

Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jayme White will join Kelley Drye as a senior international trade adviser starting May 13 in the international trade practice group, the firm announced. White joined USTR in 2021, engaging with nations in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and the Middle East. USTR noted his departure in October, saying he led the enforcement of the USMCA, along with the global deal on sustainable steel and aluminum and negotiations on a critical minerals agreement. Prior to joining USTR, White worked in the office of then-Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and as chief adviser for international competitiveness and innovation for the Senate Finance Committee.