Treasury Department official Derek Theurer has been appointed to perform the duties of deputy secretary, the agency announced Oct. 7. Michael Faulkender, who received Senate confirmation as Treasury's deputy secretary in March (see 2503270007), reportedly left the department in August.

Brian Nelson, one of the Treasury Department's top sanctions officials during the administration of Joe Biden, has joined Cooley to lead its national security practice, the law firm announced last week. Nelson previously served as Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, where he oversaw the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Nelson will work on issues related to sanctions, export controls, national security investigations and more, the firm said.

Eric McPherson, a former senior defense trade analyst with the State Department, has joined Boeing as a senior trade controls specialist, he announced this week on LinkedIn. McPherson left the State Department in July after nearly two decades with the agency.

Matt Stiglitz has left his position as the associate director of the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network after accepting a voluntary early retirement offer, he announced on LinkedIn. Stiglitz had been with FinCEN since 2019 and previously worked at DOJ for 16 years.

President Donald Trump told lawmakers Sept. 29 that he has withdrawn his nomination of Chris Pratt to be assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, according to Congress.gov. It's unclear what prompted the move. The White House sent the nomination to Capitol Hill in February, and Pratt testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in May (see 2505150053).

Serena Tang, who enforces the Shipping Act as a trial attorney at the Federal Maritime Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations and Compliance, said in a case filing Sept. 29 that she is resigning from the FMC effective Oct. 3. Tang has been with the commission for four years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Aidan Curran, deputy communications director for the Democratic staff of the House Select Committee on China, said in an email Sept. 26 that he left the panel and is now communications director for Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a member of the committee.

Sara Schuman, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's former senior trade representative for China, has joined Beacon Global Strategies to lead its new international trade practice. Schuman, who left government in 2023, was responsible for trade negotiations with China and coordinating "economic security initiatives" with allies, the firm said.

Steven Emme, former chief strategy officer for the Bureau of Industry and Security, has joined Akin as an international trade partner, the firm announced. Emme worked multiple stints at the Commerce Department since 2007, including as BIS chief strategy officer beginning in 2023, before leaving earlier this year. His practice will focus on international trade and national security, including issues related to U.S. export control and sanctions regulations.

Alex Wong, former U.S. principal deputy national security adviser for the Trump administration, has joined South Korea-based business conglomerate Hanwha Group as its global chief strategy officer, the company announced this week. Wong previously oversaw White House policy on issues related to defense, international relations and intelligence. He will be based in Washington, D.C., in the newly created role.