Reta Jo Lewis Sworn in as U.S. Export-Import Bank President and Chair
February 16, 2022
(Ex-Im Bank)
Historic New Chapter Begins with a Focus on
Small Businesses, American Competitiveness
Around the World
WASHINGTON – As America celebrates Black
History Month, Reta Jo Lewis today became the
first Black woman and person of color to head
the Export-Import Bank of the United States
(EXIM) since its founding 88 years ago. Joined
by her three siblings, Lewis was sworn in as
EXIM’s President and Chair by Vice President
of the United States Kamala Harris. The
ceremony took place at the Vice President’s
ceremonial office at the White House in
Washington, D.C.
“Today is the start of a historic new chapter
for the Export-Import Bank,” said Chair
Lewis. “I am deeply humbled by the faith
President Biden has placed in me. I will lead
the agency with high standards and work
tirelessly to lift the agency towards
fulfilling its mission.”
“Americans are the strongest, most
hardworking people on Earth. I am extremely
proud that I will have the opportunity to
support the small businesses that are the
backbone of our country’s economy,” Chair
Lewis continued. “As we move forward, EXIM
will work to expand outreach to historically
under-served businesses, enhance collaboration
and partnerships with state and local
officials, and ensure that as our nation’s
economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic
American companies and American workers can
count on EXIM standing shoulder-to-shoulder
with them as they compete around the globe.”
Chair Lewis, a native of Statesboro, Georgia,
arrives to EXIM with deep expertise across
international affairs, having served in
leadership roles at the White House, U.S.
Department of State, German Marshall Fund of
the United States, the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, and in international law. She takes
the helm with a commitment to fight for
American exporters and American workers as they
recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Lewis on
February 9, 2022, and her term expires January
20, 2025.
ABOUT CHAIR RETA JO LEWIS:
Official Portrait of EXIM Bank President and
Chair Reta Jo LewisOn February 9, 2022, the
U.S. Senate confirmed Reta Jo Lewis as EXIM’s
President and Chair of Board of Directors.
Chair Lewis was sworn in by Vice President of
the United States Kamala Harris on February 16,
2022. Ms. Lewis is a senior executive with over
25 years of leadership experience in
international affairs, legal, public policy,
business and regulatory affairs, and
subnational diplomacy.
Ms. Lewis was most recently a Senior Fellow and
Director of Congressional Affairs at the German
Marshall Fund of the United States. At GMF, Ms.
Lewis led and oversaw initiatives, programs,
and bipartisan exchanges for members of the
U.S. Congress and their European counterparts,
focusing on leadership development and
subnational diplomacy efforts. Prior to her
time at GMF, she served as the first-ever
Special Representative for Global
Intergovernmental Affairs under Secretary
Hillary Clinton at the U.S. Department of State
during the Obama-Biden Administration. As
Special Representative, Lewis was the chief
diplomat in charge of the international efforts
to build and support strategic relationships
between the federal government, state and local
leaders, and their foreign counterparts. In
2013, she was awarded the Secretary’s
Distinguished Service Award.
Ms. Lewis was the first Black woman to serve as
an Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
working as Vice President and Counselor to the
President. She led the Chamber’s initiatives
focused on fostering strategic alliances
between small businesses, especially women- and
minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and
executives. She is a Life Member of the Council
on Foreign Relations and Member of the Board of
the Leadership Council for Women in National
Security.
Ms. Lewis received a J.D. from Emory University
School of Law, an M.S.A.J. from American
University, and a B.A. from the University of
Georgia. She is a native of Statesboro,
Georgia.
Welcome to the Exporting Source
Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.

The Export Practitioner
Providing readers with expert reports on changes to U.S. export licensing rules, enforcement policies and regulations for defense and dual-use products and technology.

Washington Tariff & Trade Letter
Providing exclusive, behind-the-scenes news and analysis every week of U.S. trade policies, regulations and legislation, export controls, trade sanctions, and enforcement of antidumping and countervailing duty laws.

Mastering Deemed Exports
An invaluable video training tool that helps exporters, universities and research laboratories alert all employees to the potential fines and legal sanctions that can come from violating EAR and ITAR restrictions on giving certain foreign nationals access to controlled U.S. technology.