Charles Wall, who most recently held senior roles at the Bureau of Industry and Security in Washington, announced that he's beginning a new role as a BIS export control officer in Beijing. Wall will carry out end-use checks in China and work within the U.S. embassy "to provide information and support on all export control issues that arise in the embassy community, as well as with local industry, the host government, and other governments working in Beijing," according to his LinkedIn profile. Wall was most recently the acting director of the BIS Office of Nonproliferation and Foreign Policy Controls and a senior policy adviser, and he also worked as a regional export control officer from the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong and Macau, 2011-16.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has selected Randy Schriver as chair and Mike Kuiken as vice chair for 2026. Schriver was previously vice chair. Both were appointed for commission terms that end Dec. 31, 2027.

Jennifer Lucas retired from her role as the Commerce Department's acting assistant general counsel for legislation and regulation, she announced last week on LinkedIn. Lucas worked at Commerce for more than 23 years.

John Austerman has left his role as a division chief with the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs to join defense technology company Shield AI as its director of global export strategy, he announced on LinkedIn. Austerman worked as a division chief since October 2024 and previously worked at the Pentagon (see 2410040046).

Taylor Budowich, a former White House aide in the second Trump administration, has been appointed to a two-year term on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, starting Jan. 1. Leland Miller, an expert on China’s economy, and Jonathan Stivers, a former Democratic congressional aide, were reappointed to two-year terms on the panel.

DOJ official Alicia Cook has been named acting chief of the Counterterrorism Section of the agency's National Security Division, she announced on LinkedIn. Cook had served as deputy chief since February.

Caleb Orr has been sworn in as the State Department's new assistant secretary for the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, the agency announced this week on LinkedIn. Orr will lead the agency's efforts to "promote opportunities for American companies, ensure secure supply chains, and leverage economic tools to advance U.S. interests." He previously served as senior adviser to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and as an aide to then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

Michael Kuiken, former national security adviser to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has been reappointed to a two-year-term on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The term begins Jan. 1.

Benjamin Hawk has left his position as acting chief of DOJ's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, he announced on LinkedIn last week. He had been serving in the role since March 2022.

The Senate on Dec. 18 confirmed the nomination of Julie Callahan to serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and approved Jeffrey Goettman to be deputy USTR for Africa, the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, Environment, Labor and Industrial Competitiveness.