U.S. Chamber Appoints Reta J. Lewis to Launch New Outreach Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced it has named Reta J. Lewis to the post of vice president and counselor to the president. Lewis, a leader in the Democratic Leadership Council and a former White House aide, will head a new program that will focus on developing strategic relationships and building ties to minority- and women-owned businesses.

"Reta has the expertise and skill to help grow the Chamber's reach and broaden its voice among minority- and women-owned businesses," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "She will help strengthen our strategic capabilities and her background as a public policy and political expert will make her a valuable voice for our policies and programs."

Lewis will work to build alliances and partnerships with Chamber members and will help expand Chamber programs into a new community of business leaders. The number of minority-owned firms is growing four times faster than the national average, according to the most recent information from the Census Bureau. And women-owned businesses employ more than 7 million workers and generate over $818 billion in receipts.

"The Chamber is uniquely situated to help minority and women-owned businesses form alliances to compete in the global marketplace," Lewis said. "The Chamber has the leverage to bring minority- and women-owned businesses into the dialogue on vital business policy matters, and the ability to harmonize their needs with the Chamber resources and programs."

Previously, Lewis was a partner at the international law firm, Greenberg Traurig, where she advised national, regional and local business and political leaders on federal and business issues. From 1993 - 1995, she served as the special assistant for Political Affairs to President Clinton, advising him on federal and state matters, and served as the political director for the President in the Northeast and the Southern regions, coordinating work with elected officials, Congressional campaign committees and constituency groups.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

01-181