California’s Kounalakis Renamed State’s Top Foreign Trade Representative

Eleni Kounalakis takes the oath of office, administered by Gov. Gavin Newsom, to serve a second term as California lieutenant governor in Sacramento on Jan. 2, 2023. Courtesy of the Office of Gavin Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Dec. 30 redesignating Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis as his top international trade representative.

Kounalakis, a former U.S. ambassador, was sworn into office as lieutenant governor on Jan. 2, beginning her second term in the position. She has served as the governor’s representative for the Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee since 2019, promoting trade, investment, and international relations on behalf of the administration.