Christopher appointed to federal committee

Norman Christopher, director of the Sustainable Community Development Initiative at Grand Valley State University, was appointed to a federal committee that will advise the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on trade issues facing the U.S. environmental technologies services and goods industry.

Christopher will begin his term immediately as a member of the Air, Waste and Water: Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) of the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. His appointment runs through October 2012.

The committee will also provide advice on the development and administration of programs and policies to expand U.S. environmental exports and strengthen the competitiveness of the industry.

Christopher is the only person on the committee representing higher education; others are from water, waste and air industries. “I was first introduced to the committee when representatives from the Department of Commerce visited Grand Rapids to learn more about the furniture industry,” said Christopher. “I am pleased to be appointed a committee member and represent Michigan’s efforts. My role will be to provide fresh perspectives on sustainable development practices in the environmental technologies services and goods industry.”

Representatives from the Van Andel Global Trade Center at Grand Valley serve on other agencies within the Department of Commerce as well.

The ETTAC was established 10 years ago and meets four times a year. It is split into subcommittees that cover topics such as technologies, domestic competitiveness, advocacy, and trade promotion.