IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–International business expert and CEO of Edwards Global Services, William “Bill” Edwards, today announced his appointment by Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, and United States Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, to join the U.S. Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Services for the 2022-26 charter term. As a representative of his company and the U.S. franchise sector as a whole, Edwards will work alongside fellow committee members to provide insights and strategic counsel around international trade issues.
The Industry Trade Advisory Committees are a unique public-private partnership that engages with American business leaders to assist in formulating U.S. trade policy and is jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
In this role, Edwards will liaise with other members of ITAC 10 to offer trade policy and technical advice as well as provide information and recommendations to Secretary Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Tai regarding trade barriers, negotiation of new trade agreements and the implementation of existing trade agreements. Additionally, he will support the development of U.S. trade policy, as may be requested by his appointees or their designees, with regard to customs matters and trade facilitation issues.
At the helm of Edwards Global Services, an international business advisory group that has twice received the U.S. President’s Award for Export Excellence, Edwards brings nearly five decades of experience to this appointment across business, trade and franchising. Directing projects in over 50 countries throughout his career, he has consulted and advised over 40 major U.S. corporations on international market expansion strategy. Edwards also serves in various leadership roles across multiple organizations, including: Vice Chairman of the District Export Council of Southern California; Chairman of the Board of the World Affairs Council of Orange County; and member of the International Franchise Association International and Education Committee.
“I am incredibly honored by this appointment and would like to thank Secretary Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representive Tai for appointing me to this prestigious committee position,” said Edwards. “The opportunity to support the needs of the U.S. franchising community is a great one and I am eager to extend the years of global business experience and insights I’ve gained throughout my career to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee in order to bring innovative solutions to today’s most pressing international trade issues.”
To learn more, visit: https://edwardsglobal.com/.
About William Edwards: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO of Edwards Global Services (EGS) and global advisor to multiple highly respected and prominent CEOs, has over four decades of experience in accelerating the international growth of more than 40 companies. Bill is a seasoned expert when it comes to choosing the right global markets for specific brands, country market research, strategic planning, partner due diligence, new country start-ups, global trend analysis, growing existing country operations, supply chain management and cultural adaptation. He has lived in China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran and Turkey and has worked on projects in over 50 countries. Read his latest biweekly global business newsletter at www.geowizard.biz.
About Edwards Global Services, Inc.: Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), founded in 2001, has assisted more than 40 franchise businesses in the education, retail, restaurant and service sectors with international development and expansion across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Middle and Near East. The EGS GlobalTeam™, comprised of a group of professionals with vast international business development experience, are on the ground covering 30+ countries helping our clients Go Global successfully. For more information, visit www.edwardsglobal.com.
