Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will serve on a national trade advisory committee, providing advice to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The trade representative serves in a Cabinet level position, and is appointed as President Donald Trump’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.
There are eight advisory committees focusing on different trade issues.
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Starkey’s role on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee is “to represent the voice of local governments on U.S. trade issues,” according to a news release from Pasco County.
“I’m excited and happy to represent us and the voice of local governments,” said Starkey, speaking at the June 19 county commissioner’s meeting in New Port Richey.
Her four-year term runs through April 2022.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative develops and coordinates the United States’ international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and oversees negotiations with other countries.
Starkey currently serves as chairwoman of the International Economic Development Task Force for the National Association of Counties. She also has been on numerous trade missions to South America and Europe.
She is an advocate for developing programs, such as AmSkills, that link education with apprenticeships. She believes they are valuable tools in recruiting European companies to Pasco and the Tampa Bay area.
Starkey anticipates three telephone conference meetings annually as a member of the advisory committee, and also one meeting a year at the White House.
Published June 27, 2018
