Ike Nwabuonwu (Chairman & CEO) of Alpha Energy Appointed to District Export Council (DEC)

Ike Nwabuonwu (Chairman & CEO) of Alpha Energy and Electric, Inc., appointed to District Export Council (DEC). The District Export Council (DEC) is an organization of leaders from the local business community, appointed by successive United States Secretaries of Commerce, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. As lead organizations serving the international business community, and working together with USEACs, the mission of the DECs is to facilitate the development of an effective local export assistance network, support the expansion of export opportunities for local U.S. companies, serve as a communication link between the business community and US&FCS, and assist in coordinating the activities of trade assistance partners to leverage available resources. Individuals appointed to a DEC become part of a select corps of trade experts dedicated to providing international trade leadership and guidance to the local business community and assistance to the Department of Commerce on export development issues.

In 1960, the United States President asked the Secretary of Commerce to enlist the efforts of the U.S. business community in enlarging export opportunities for American firms.  Responding to this challenge, the National Export Expansion Council was formed. The National Export Expansion Council made recommendations and to stimulate greater business participation in the national export expansion effort.  In 1973, the United States President signed an Executive Order that created the President’s Export Council.

After completion of a vetting process, the United States Secretary of Commerce selects nominees for appointment to local DECs. DEC members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the United States Secretary of Commerce.

Appointment is based upon an individual’s international trade leadership in the local community, ability to influence the local environment for exporting, interest in export development, and willingness and ability to devote time to DEC activities.