WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today announced the addition of new staff members who will fill important leadership positions at the agency: Allison Smith, Deputy Assistant USTR for Congressional Affairs; Kamau Marshall, Deputy Assistant USTR for Media and Public Affairs; Tommy Wolfe, Deputy Executive Secretary; and Sam Michel, Director of Speechwriting. The broad range of experiences and perspectives from each new member will strengthen USTR’s effort to craft a worker-centered trade policy and support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build Back Better agenda.
Allison Smith, Deputy Assistant USTR for Congressional Affairs
Allison Smith is the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs. Ms. Smith served in the House of Representatives since 2013, most recently as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Representative Suzanne Bonamici. In that position she worked on the USMCA negotiations between USTR and Congress, focusing on environmental implementation and enforcement issues. Originally from Arizona, Ms. Smith received her JD from Wake Forest University and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. She started her career as a public defender in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kamau Marshall, Deputy Assistant USTR for Media and Public Affairs
Kamau Marshall is the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Media and Public Affairs. He previously served as a Spokesperson and Senior Advisor for outreach and communications to the CEO and Co-Chairs for the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee. Most recently, Kamau was the Director of Strategic Communications for the 2020 Biden presidential campaign. Before joining the Biden campaign, he worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign and as Communications Director to Congressman Al Green. Kamau previously served in the Obama-Biden Administration as the Communications Advisor and Speechwriter at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before his appointment, Kamau served as a Special Assistant to the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings. Earlier in his career, he worked at SKDKnickerbocker and for Senator Tom Carper. A native of many cities and states, he considers Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia home. Kamau is a graduate of Texas Southern University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters in Public Administration, focusing on Economics, Policy, and International Affairs.
Tommy Wolfe, Deputy Executive Secretary
Tommy Wolfe is the Deputy Executive Secretary for the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Prior to his service at USTR, Mr. Wolfe was a Legislative Assistant for Delegate Stacey Plaskett and managed her work as a member of the Agriculture Committee and Budget Committee. He also previously served as a Legislative Aide for Senator Amy Klobuchar and as a Research Assistant for the Joint Economic Committee. Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Wolfe holds a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sam Michel, Director of Speechwriting
Sam Michel is the Director of Speechwriting. Mr. Michel previously served as Minnesota Press Secretary on the Biden for President campaign. Before joining the campaign, he worked for SKDKnickerbocker as a member of its Public Affairs and Executive Communications teams where he wrote for political candidates, C-suite leaders, and philanthropists. Earlier in his career, he worked for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and GMMB. He received his BA in International Affairs from George Washington University with a dual concentration in International Politics and International Economics.
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