Press Release - Personnel Announcement

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual to serve in his administration:

The President intends to nominate Robert B. Zoellick to be Deputy Secretary of State. Mr. Zoellick has served as the 13th United States Trade Representative since 2001. During his tenure, he completed negotiations to bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has moved talks forward in the Doha Development Round. He completed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 12 nations, launched negotiations with 12 others, and worked with Congress to pass the Trade Act of 2002 to renew the President's trade negotiating authority.

During President George H.W. Bush's Administration, Mr. Zoellick served as Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs, as well as Counselor to the Department. In 1992, Mr. Zoellick was appointed Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Chief of Staff. In 1993, he moved to Fannie Mae as an Executive Vice President. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Zoellick served at the Department of the Treasury in various positions, including Counselor to the Secretary.

He received a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Zoellick graduated from Swarthmore College.