Rhonda Keenum

Ms. Keenum served as Acting Deputy Under Secretary for the International Trade Administration from February 2005 to May 2005. Ms. Keenum was responsible for leading the International Trade Administration, which participates in the development of U.S. trade policy; identifies and resolves market access and compliance issues; promotes American competitiveness and the strength of U.S. companies in the global economy; administers U.S. trade laws; and undertakes a range of trade promotion and trade advocacy efforts. The International Trade Administration has more than 2,000 dedicated individuals posted at U.S. embassies and commercial offices around the world. After her tenure as Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Ms. Keenum served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Public Liaison until 2007.

Prior to her tenure as Acting Under Secretary for International Trade, Ms. Keenum served as Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the United States Foreign Commercial Service, where she managed operations dedicated to assistant American companies to export and succeed in global markets.

Prior to her service at the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Ms. Keenum served as a Senior Vice President at Edelman Worldwide in Washington, D.C. At Edelman, she managed the Political Outreach Division. From 1997 to 2000, Ms. Keenum served as a Vice President/Group Manager for Ketchum Worldwide, in Washington, D.C.

In 1995, Ms. Keenum served as Press Secretary for U.S. Representative Roger Wicker, supervising media and outreach efforts in the Congressman's Washington, D.C. and district offices. From 1993 to 1995, Ms. Keenum served as the Deputy Director for Convention and Meetings at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Keenum is a native of Booneville, Mississippi and a graduate of Mississippi State University. She resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, Mark.