AUCC Selects Eric Stewart as New Executive Director.

WASHINGTON -- The American Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce has appointed Eric Stewart as its new Executive Director. Mr. Stewart replaces Robert Pace who has retired.

Eric Stewart was appointed by the Bush Administration as Deputy Secretary for Europe at the US Department of Commerce in September 2003. He directed the Department's activities on trade, commerce, compliance and investment policies for more than 50 countries that included the enlarged European Union as well as Russia and Uzbekistan. He also was responsible for developing programs, policies and strategies designed to strengthen the United States' commercial position in these countries.

While at Commerce, Mr. Stewart was extensively involved in facilitating US Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He was involved in framework development for the protection of US intellectual property rights and also cooperated with foreign governments on dispute resolution in international forums such as World Bank and the International Chamber of Commerce. He was also asked to create and oversee the US Government's Hurricane Contracting Information Center to assist small, minority, women- and locally-owned businesses access to compete for government contracts to rebuild the Gulf Coast. During his tenure at Commerce, Mr. Stewart was also tapped as a surrogate for the Bush Administration on issues ranging from Social Security to energy policy.

Mr. Stewart joined the Department of Commerce in September 2001 and served a Chief of Staff to then Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance, William Lash. In that role, Mr. Stewart served as an international trade policy advisor, a liaison to the business community and a link to the US Congress. Former Commerce Secretary Donald Evans assigned Mr. Stewart to improved outreach to the business community and to work on international trade issues. During these two years, Mr. Stewart provided policy support and actively participated in bi-lateral discussions and trade framework development and was a frequent participant in high level US trade missions.

Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Mr. Stewart served as Director of External Affairs for the telecommunications company Ameritech/SBC. He also worked as the Political Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB/Ohio), representing more than 36,000 small-business owners. Mr. Stewart previously served in former Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich's administration.

Mr. Stewart holds a bachelor's degree for Ohio University, also served three years on the University's National Alumni Board of Directors as well as received the Ohio University 2002 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award.

In commenting on Stewart's appointment, AUCC Chairman, Harry F. Eustace said: "We are pleased to have a person of Eric Stewart's caliber in our organization. He brings a wealth of experience in bilateral trade development that we believe can deepen our cooperation with Uzbekistan."