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Obama nominates former Edison International CEO John Bryson to be Commerce secretary
President Barack Obama stands with John Bryson after nominating Bryson to be the next Commerce Secretary, on May 31, 2011 in Washington, D.C. If confirmed by the Senate Bryson, former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Edison International, will become the 37th Commerce Secretary, succeeding Gary Locke.
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Obama nominates former Edison International CEO John Bryson to be Commerce secretary
Obama nominates former Edison International CEO John Bryson to be Commerce secretary
President Obama has nominated John Bryson to be the next federal Commerce secretary. Bryson is the former chief executive of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison.
The president said Bryson is the right pick for the job because of his long experience in the public and private sectors.
“Today he advises companies around the world as a business leader who understands what it takes to innovate, to create jobs and to persevere through tough times," said Obama. "And he continues to carry himself with the integrity and the sense of responsibility that have guided him his entire life. This experience, and these qualities, will serve our nation well as John takes on yet another tough assignment in his career.”
Bryson has been president of the California Public Utilities Commission.
The U.S. Senate still needs to confirm the nomination. Bryson would succeed Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who President Obama has nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to China.
Two other cabinet secretaries — Steven Chu at Energy and Hilda Solis at Labor — come from California. The president has nominated CIA Director Leon Panetta to be the next Secretary of Defense. Panetta and Bryson await Senate confirmation before they can start their new jobs.
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