President Barack Obama will nominate businessman John Bryson to lead the Commerce Department, AP cited a White House official as saying Tuesday. Bryson's appointment brings another private sector player into an administration that has been trying to improve it's relationship with the business community. Bryson, 67, is a former chairman and chief executive officer of Edition International, a California-based energy company. He also has an extensive background in environmental issues, having co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council and served on a United Nations advisory group on energy and climate change. If confirmed by the Senate, Bryson would replace outgoing Commerce Secretary Gary Lock, whom Obama recently named as his next ambassador to China. Obama was announcing Bryson's nomination at the White House Tuesday afternoon, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the appointment ahead of the president. Among Bryson's tasks at the Commerce Department will be leading Obama's efforts to double U.S. exports in the next four years and representing American business interests abroad, particularly in rapidly expanding Asian markets. Bryson served as Edison's CEO for 18 years, retiring in 2008. He since has served on a number of corporate boards, including the Boeing Co., The Walt Disney Co., and Coda Automotive, Inc. He also is co-chairman of the Pacific Council on International Policy, a nonpartisan group that focuses on policy issues that are of specific importance to the West Coast.
