Gerry Horner, a former Bureau of Industry and Security official who had been serving as chief of the Census Trade Regulations Branch since 2018, retired from the federal government last week, he announced on LinkedIn. At Census, Horner oversaw work to write regulations governing electronic export filings in the Automated Export System, including by working with BIS on their long-awaited routed export rule (see 2412100049 and 2403270056).
Kristine Carrillo, an international trade specialist with the Commerce Department, was told her position was “terminated” this week as part of the Trump administration's sweeping cuts of employees who are still on probationary status, she announced on LinkedIn. Carrillo joined the International Trade Administration in December 2023 and worked to "advance opportunities for U.S. companies" through meetings with foreign governments visiting the U.S. on trade missions.
Matthew Axelrod, the Bureau of Industry and Security's former export enforcement chief, has joined Gibson Dunn to help lead the firm's new sanctions and export enforcement practice group. Axelrod and former Treasury Department senior adviser Adam Smith will co-chair the new group, which they said will aim to help clients navigate rising export control and sanctions risks.
Raj Parekh, a DOJ lawyer who was named the Bureau of Industry and Security’s first chief of corporate enforcement in September (see 2409120007), is leaving BIS next week to join the law firm Sparacino, he announced on LinkedIn. Parekh said his departure from government is “entirely unrelated to current events,” adding that his one-year detail as the BIS corporate enforcement chief “would have continued if it were not for this unique opportunity in the private sector.”
Kevin Kurland, the Bureau of Industry and Security's most senior career export enforcement official, has been tapped to replace longtime BIS official Matt Borman in overseeing the agency’s export administration efforts, three people familiar with the matter said. BIS updated its website Feb. 27 to reflect the change.
Ted Dean, former trade adviser to former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, has joined DGA Group’s China practice, the consulting firm announced. Dean led Commerce Department activities in the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council and advised on China policy.
Corey Hinderstein, a former senior U.S. nuclear nonproliferation official, has joined the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to oversee the think tank’s programs on technology, international affairs, nuclear policy and more. Hinderstein previously served as acting deputy principal administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration and deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation, where she led nuclear-related arms control monitoring and verification efforts. Hinderstein left the government in January.
Howard Lutnick was formally sworn in as commerce secretary during a White House ceremony Feb. 21. The Senate confirmed Lutnick for the position Feb. 18 (see 2502190014).
Danny Meza, a former senior adviser with the Bureau of Industry and Security and the State Department, has joined the nonprofit Global Business Alliance as its director of trade policy, GBA’s president announced on LinkedIn. Meza most recently was a senior policy adviser to the House of Representatives.
John Eisenberg, former legal adviser to the National Security Council who served during the first Trump administration, is President Donald Trump's pick to lead DOJ’s National Security Division, DOJ announced last week. Eisenberg also previously held several roles within DOJ, including in the office of the deputy attorney general. If confirmed, Eisenberg will oversee the division that prosecutes various export control, sanctions, foreign investment and other national security-related violations.