LINDA CONLIN SWORN IN AS A MEMBER OF EX-IM BANK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Linda Mysliwy Conlin was sworn in today () as a member of the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).
Linda Conlin has a long and distinguished career as an international marketing and management executive, including public service promoting commerce on both the state and federal levels, said Ex-Im Bank Chairman Philip Merrill. She will add enormous value to Ex-Im Bank's leadership.
Prior to joining Ex-Im Bank, Conlin served as Assistant Secretary for Trade Development from August 2001 to April 2004 at the U.S. Department of Commerce where she worked to help U.S. businesses succeed in the global marketplace. She directed a program of industry sector offices that work to identify market opportunities, address market barriers, and advocate on behalf of small businesses as well as large corporations.
Conlin also administered the Trade Information Center and the Advocacy Center, and oversaw the President's Export Council as well as twenty-one trade advisory committees, an advisory system that ensures U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests.
From 1994-1999, Conlin served New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman as the principal advisor for marketing and policy for travel and tourism. Earlier she was the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Tourism Marketing in the U.S. Tourism Administration and held positions at the U.S. Information Agency and the U.S. Department of State.
Conlin began her career as a small business owner. Her company, Park-Main Travel Agency, was ranked as one of the top-10 travel agencies in Southeastern New England under her leadership.
Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 70th year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct loans. In fiscal year 2003, Ex-Im Bank, an independent federal agency, authorized financing to support $14.3 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. For more information on Ex-Im Bank and its annual conference, visit www.exim.gov.