US President Barack Obama has nominated John Bryson, a retired former executive of a California-based utility company, as his new Commerce Secretary.
Bryson, who is the former chairman and CEO of Edison International, will replace Gary Locke, who has been nominated by Obama as his new envoy to China.
Locke had his confirmation hearing before a Senate Committee last week.
"I am pleased to nominate John Bryson to be our nation's Secretary of Commerce, as he understands what it takes for America to succeed in a 21st century global economy," Obama said.
"John will be an important
part of my economic team, working with the business community, fostering growth, and helping open up new markets abroad to promote jobs and opportunities here at home," he said.
As Commerce Secretary, Bryson is going to be an important part of his economic team, promoting American business and American products across the globe, Obama said, adding that by working with companies at home, and representing America's interests abroad, he is confident that Bryson is going to help the Administration meet the goal that he set of doubling the country's exports.
Bryson was chairman and CEO of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison and Edison Mission Group, from 1990 to 2008.
