United States International Trade

Legal & Federal Government Experience

Independent Consulting and Media Engagement,

December 2024 – Current

BBC World Service, interview on United States international trade policy, tariffs, “Liberation Day,” and the effects on U.S. and global economic impact.

Wall Street Journal, background interview on United States international trade, tariffs, and the anticipated global economic reality.

Guidepoint – Consultant on trade policy, international relations, sanctions, tariffs, import/export, and inward investment and navigating CFIUS.

Technology Security Analyst, Economic Security Team Lead, U.S. Department of Defense; Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering; Contractor

May 2024 – July 2024 (Left due to family illness)

I led a team of qualified, diverse, and highly motivated individuals supporting the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), and report to the Director for Economic Security. Main responsibilities include conducting and management of the OUSDR&E contributions to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), reviewing export control licenses, and reviewing Hart-Scott-Rodino Act mergers and acquisitions. The position contributes to the protection of United States' critical technology, science, and research.

International Affairs Analyst, U.S. Department of Defense; Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.

July 2023 – December 2023

(Contractor). Coordinated and led strategic international collaboration and engagements across CDAO and aligned international engagements on data, analytics and artificial intelligence across DoD. Established and expanded bilateral and multilateral relationships with allies and partners leading in data, analytics, and AI to promote responsible innovation, collaboration, and interoperability.

Member Board of Directors, Me for Africa (NGO, voluntary position).

April 2023 – September 2023

Me for Africa is a non-profit non-government organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting

entrepreneurship, health, education, and ICT development in Ghana and throughout Africa. As a member of the Board of Directors, I play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the NGO overseeing the implementation of important programs and ensuring the continued success in achieving Me for Africa organization objectives.

International Defense Trade Compliance Officer (Export Controls), U.S. State Department, Political - Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Creative IT Solutions, contractor

March 2022 – March 2023

Conducted due diligence for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures for DDTC, and used ITAR/EAR.

Monitored consent agreements, case files, court outcomes, and enforcement investigations.

Cleared on M&A cases with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CIFUS) that involved foreign investment with national security implications.

Attorney; Solo Practice, Washington D.C.

June 2020 – February 2022

Prepared legal documents and strategy for Federal COVID-related Paycheck Protection Program, tax structure, and short-term operations strategy. Drafted memoranda on employee law, business and tax structure and ramifications, and legal liability. Provided advice on international relations, Intellectual Property and Technology legal protection, valuation, licensing, and enforcement, cease and desist letters, and government advocacy.

Senior International Trade and Foreign Affairs Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, MENA & Iraq Desk Officer, Washington D.C.

March 2008 – January 2020; GS-13, step 7

Served as primary point of contact for private sector advocacy, commercial concerns, international trade policy, interagency clearances, international affairs, and foreign policy. Executive Director US-Iraq Business Dialogue (USIBD). The USIBD became part of the U.S.-Iraq Economic Cooperation Agmt.

Represent the Department at national security meetings with White House National Security structure.

Drafted briefs, memorandum, and position papers on complex issues in international law, trade and energy issues, oil and gas, national security and foreign policy, and international economic policy. Developed strategic communications, media strategy, engaged media on background, prepare talking points, and briefing books for senior political leaders in advance of bilateral meetings.

Assessed export controls, foreign political and physical risk, resolve non-tariff barriers to trade, licensing for dual-use products, advised on navigating foreign laws, and intellectual property rights enforcement.

Inward investment and CFIUS review and clearance for ITA/U.S. Department of Commerce.

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce.; DC; Baghdad, Iraq; Doha, Qatar

March 2015 – January 2019; GS-13, step 7

Supervised and managed staff; controlled budget expenditures, oversaw and advanced diplomatic mission and Embassy programs; conducted audits of resources in Baghdad and Doha. Diplomatically engaged foreign government officials and private sector leaders. Resolved issues with customs officials, intellectual property rights, and standards, FCPA, export licenses including EAR and ITAR, and occasional military FMS.

Foreign Service Economic Officer (Temporary Duty), U.S. State Department, Baghdad, Iraq.

June 2015 – September 2015

Brief the Senior Economic Officer on the private sector in Iraq, energy & oil, and trade-related issues concerning international agreements, the Strategic Framework Agreement, and bilateral talks.

Managed TA/CB programs in commercial law development, judiciary training in commercial disputes.

International Trade Specialist & Regional Foreign Affairs Officer, Middle East / South Asia; Iraq & Afghanistan Task Force; U.S. Department of Commerce; Washington D.C.

March 2008 – December 2014; GS-13

Served as primary point-of-contact for country relations and operations, and private sector development in Iraq and Afghanistan. International affairs specialist for the Middle East and South Asia region. In private sector engagement, public integrity, procurement, and public-private partnerships.

Sought to attract investment in the Iraqi private sector to advance stabilization objectives for Iraq and the region. I worked with both the central government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the provincial governors.

Briefed Marine Corps leadership prior to their Iraq deployment.

Ready to deploy to conflict zones to assist in cross-agency stability operations. Trained in post-conflict and post-natural disaster stabilization techniques, including rule of law, governance, civil society development, and economic stabilization.

Attorney, International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI), Washington D.C.

March 2006 – March 2008

Deputy General Counsel, corporate, tax, employment, government affairs; 501(c)3 and 501(c)4. Formulated legal strategy for innovative and technology-and complex intellectual property cases.

Directed, budgeted, and executed international legal capacity building and rule of law programs in copyright, patent, and trademark law:

oBotswana: Innovation policy, international licensing and technology transfer; Namibia: Cultural property and traditional knowledge; ASEAN: Regional IP strategy and trade policy

oRussia: WTO Accession and Anti-counterfeiting and piracy policy

Conducted congressional outreach, foreign government officials and business leaders in innovative and creative industries. Advised on technology licensing and transfer agreements. USAID sub-contractor review, monitor, management, and government relations

Attorney, US-Russia Experts’ Forum; U.S. Department of State, International Intellectual Property Institute; Washington D.C. and Moscow, Russia

February 2007 - Nov 2007

Drafted and presented policy brief on anti-counterfeiting and piracy in Russian Federation in the WTO accession context. Resulting publication, 1 Intellectual Property: Copyright (Moscow, January 2008).

Addressed US and foreign trade policy officials, Russian IP lawyers and the respective private sectors during a speaking tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Technology Law and Entrepreneurship Fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Richland, Washington

May 2003 - October 2004

Evaluated patent value, licensing, and commercial potential, including market feasibility studies, for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and University of Oregon Office of Technology Transfer

Analyzed patents for potential commercialization and product development investment including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.

Rule of Law, Capacity Building & Technical Assistance Projects

Botswana: Innovation policy, international licensing and technology transfer

Namibia: Cultural property and traditional knowledge

Russia: WTO Accession and Anti-counterfeiting and piracy policy

Egypt / Morocco: Standards and Trade

Oman: Intellectual Property and the Free Trade Agreement

Qatar: Intellectual Property Anti-Piracy and Counterfeit

Iraq: Customs Enforcement Best Practices / Commercial Attaché Training

Iraq and Afghanistan: international banking relationships, FCPA and anti-money laundering

Lithuania: Innovation Policy and Centers of Excellence in technology transfer

Invited Lectures and Media Appearances

Panelist, St. Olaf College, Spring Forum 09; The Ethics of Post-Conflict Reconstruction: U.S. Obligations in Iraq

Botswana National Radio; Technology Program, interview, IP and innovation policy

Panelist, U.S. – Russia Joint Conference on the Rule of Law, St. Petersburg, Russia

Guest Lecturer; St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; International Intellectual Property Law

Guest Lecturer; United States Patent and Trademark Office, Global IP Academy; Alexandria, Virginia

Guest Lecturer; Georgetown University, International Development and Diplomacy in Action

Education

University of Oregon School of Law, Juris Doctor; Eugene, Oregon

Saul Lefkowitz, IP Appellate Moot Court, 3 years

University College London, Masters, LLM; University of London, United Kingdom

Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, International Relations

University of Oregon B.Sc., Eugene, Oregon

Biochemistry, Biology, Psychology

Publications

Kevin M. Reichelt and Vyacheslav Gavrilov, The Fight against Counterfeiting and Piracy: IP Enforcement in the Russian Federation; 1 Intellectual Property: Copyright (Moscow, January 2008)

University Technology Transfer and National Innovation Policy: Success Stories from Brazil, Colombia and South Africa, IIPI (2007)

Avoiding Counterfeit Goods: A How-To Guide for Consumers; IIPI (2007)

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Using Arbitration and Mediation to Resolve International Intellectual Property Disputes; IIPI (2007)

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